Lower voting age to 16 in BC?

[rustled]

I think people are vastly underestimating 16 year olds. I didn't like it when I was a teenager and I don't now either. Experience isn't a prerequisite to vote. People in this thread are putting voting requirements on teenagers that adults don't have. Be consistent.

What is required for the right to vote in this country?

I'm still curious as to what your response would be to those who suggest you're "vastly" underestimating 15 year olds.

"Not liking it" is all about feelings, not about practicalities.

There is no inconsistency in expecting people to reach a certain age before they're conferred the right and given the responsibility to vote. It's commonplace for any sensible society to set minimum ages for a variety of rights and responsibilities, and voting's no different. Doesn't mean everyone who's met that age is going to take it seriously, doesn't mean folk younger than that can't or wouldn't take it seriously, simply means that's the age we as a group figure the majority have reached an age where the average maturity appropriately reflects the right and responsibility conferred.

So this isn't about consistency, it's simply about some folk "feeling" we've drawn the line for voting in the wrong place. These folk know full well that the reason it's currently drawn at 18 is exactly the same reason they themselves wouldn't draw it at 15.

[The Green Barbarian]

Did a canvass of the 16, 17 and 18 year olds at the family gathering this weekend. I asked them outright - "Should 16 year olds be given the vote" and their answer was a unanimous and resounding "NO!" I was actually taken aback a bit. They asked me why I wanted to know this, and I told them that the Green Party was trying to lower the voting age. "Because they think they can get a bunch of kids who don't know anything about politics to vote for them" was the first comment, from the 16 year old. I was shocked how she at her age "gets it". Exactly right.

I asked her who she would vote for if given the chance and she said "I would vote for Justin Trudeau because he's hot." I laughed and asked her if she was serious, and she said "Now you know what goes on in the mind of a 16 year old. Don't let us vote".

HA HA HAAAA Oh man that was just gold.

[slootman]

I asked her who she would vote for if given the chance and she said "I would vote for Justin Trudeau because he's hot." I laughed and asked her if she was serious, and she said "Now you know what goes on in the mind of a 16 year old. Don't let us vote".

So Andrew Weaver should cancel his glamour shoot?

[Queen K]

I asked her who she would vote for if given the chance and she said "I would vote for Justin Trudeau because he's hot." I laughed and asked her if she was serious, and she said "Now you know what goes on in the mind of a 16 year old. Don't let us vote".

So Andrew Weaver should cancel his glamour shoot?

Hell NO! Who knows who'd vote for Weaver if his glamour shoot photos were released.

[Glacier]

I have not read most of the past 15 pages, but I guess that there have been many arguments for and against lowering the voting age.

Now, to me the number one reason to be against lowering the voting age is that the #FakeNewsMedia will go complete ape-s**t over the "record low" voter turnout next election. We know that voter turnout will drop like a tank because young people are the least likely people to vote, so adding more young people to the pool will reduce the overall turnout. Of course, the media will only mention this in passing as they decry how voter turnout is so low, so maybe we should lower the age to 14 to combat this horrible trend.

[dontrump]

I would encourage anyone on here who thinks 16-18 year olds are idiots (anymore so than a previous generation) to call KSS or RSS. Then volunteer to be a judge at the Grad Transitions Presentations day to hear the student's plans for when the grad. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. Contrary to popular belief the world is not doomed by the youth of today.

Many will go on to lead productive lives that benefit society. Some won't, but no more than any other generation

don't penalized the good ones, who are in the majority, for the actions of a few bad apples. This statement is true of any generation as the bad apples exist, and they don't grow out of it at 25.

I anyone cares, i'm mid 30s

problem is the ones whom your referring to are few and far between

[EthanWhiting]

16 year olds are too stupid to vote. Until they can stop twiddling their thumbs on that device and look both ways before crossing the road, voting should be the least thing on their minds.
Weaver wants this as the socialist teachers can fill the kids grey matter with nonsense regarding leap baffle gab. Weaver has a toe hold in the legislator and with the PR vote, sees this voting proposal as adding to his urban voting base...

Too true. My friends' 14 year old son's class had a mock vote and almost every kid in the class voted Green. That just tells you how much propaganda and how little math they are fed at that age.

I see that as proof that younger people care more about the environment then corporations. not a bad thing.

[seewood]

I see that as proof that younger people care more about the environment then corporations. not a bad thing.

Do you honestly believe the corporations that rely on the environment to provide jobs and taxes, wake up each morning and ask themselves " now what can I do to screw up the environment today" ?
If the youngsters are shown how trees are replanted today for example or mine reclamation is supposed to happen, unlike Robert Friedlands efforts in other countries, I believe the youngens will understand how there has to be a balance between conscientious resource extraction for example, and looking after the environment.
Thing is, I suspect the kiddies get one side and the grey matter is molded to those opinions until they get a bit older.
Don't believe they are ready to vote until they get a handle on economics and how the various parties policies effect the economy. At 16, they are preoccupied as to how many "likes" they get for posting they are going to Starbucks. Important stuff to a 16 year old.

[George+]

Politics is constantly discussed by teachers and students
at many levels.

Most 16 year olds have a much more balanced view of the world,
often thanks to teachers, than a lot of adults I know.

Most adults vote from plain ordinary greed.

[hobbyguy]

Politics is constantly discussed by teachers and students
at many levels.

Most 16 year olds have a much more balanced view of the world,
often thanks to teachers, than a lot of adults I know.

Most adults vote from plain ordinary greed.

Spoken like a true 16 year old mind. "Some dogs have spots, therefore all dogs have spots".

16 year olds have generally never been faced with the pragmatic realities of the real world. Betcha the vast majority of them that eat stuff like chicken Mc Nuggets could never slaughter a chicken etc.

Many teachers do NOT have a balanced view of the world. Those that can, do, those that can't, teach. That's a lunchroom lawyer generalization, but certainly applies in part.

16 year olds function at a peer pressure and emotional level much of the time. They are just learning to make decisions on their own. Voting is beyond that general level of decision making ability (although some 16 year olds mature faster).

[Urban Cowboy]

Politics is constantly discussed by teachers and students
at many levels.

Glad to see you finally admit, that the BCTF is an NDP indoctrination tool.

[alanjh595]

*removed*

[dontrump]

Looks like Weaver figures he can dupe youngsters more easily. I think 16 is far too young to vote. The male brain isn't even mature until 25, in that they are then able to fully understand the consequences of their actions, in this case casting a ballot. I think they ought to raise the voting age to 21 in BC and the rest of Canada, never mind lower it. Just my humble opinion.

https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-s ... htm#220992

ETA the letter T

just what we need ,snot nosed kids voting in elections only liberal snowflakes come up with ideals this stupid

[George+]

Liberals?

It was the Greens!

Careful or you will get the ranters and eavers upset.

[Urban Cowboy]

*removed*