Should the franchise be extended to 16 and 17 year olds?

Paragraph 1- education

Point: Extending the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds aligns with responsibilities already entrusted to them.
Explanation: At 16, young people can leave school, pay taxes, consent to medical treatment, and even marry with parental consent. Denying them the vote while assigning these responsibilities is inconsistent.
Example: In the UK, citizenship education has been compulsory since 2002, preparing young people for active political participation.

Counterpoint: Critics argue that 16- and 17-year-olds are not yet full citizens, as most remain in education and live with their parents.
Example: Their educational and social dependency may limit their understanding and engagement with complex political issues

Paragraph 2- representation of youth

Point: Including 16- and 17-year-olds would address the underrepresentation of youth interests.
Explanation: Younger voters could bring attention to policies on education, social justice, and climate change, which disproportionately affect them.
Example: The high turnout (75%) among 16- and 17-year-olds in the Scottish Independence Referendum highlights their willingness to engage when given the opportunity.

Counterpoint: Representation for young people is deferred, not denied. By 18, they gain full suffrage, unlike women and working-class men historically who were excluded permanently.
Example: Policies for youth are shaped by older voters who often have a broader understanding of societal needs, reducing the urgency of extending the vote prematurely.

Paragraph 3- increase political engagement

Point: Lowering the voting age could foster lifelong political engagement.
Explanation: Allowing voting at 16 might instill early habits of participation and reorient political discourse towards younger perspectives.
Example: Research suggests that voters who participate in their first eligible election are more likely to continue voting throughout life.

Counterpoint: Low turnout among 16- and 17-year-olds could undermine overall participation.
Example: In the Isle of Man, turnout for 16- to 17-year-olds dropped from 55% in 2006 to 46% in 2021, showing a decline in sustained engagement. This could risk creating a generation of non-voters.