Instigator / Pro
18
1500
rating
1
debates
0.0%
won
Topic
#1188
Should the voting age be lowered?
Status
Finished
The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.
Winner & statistics
After 9 votes and with 42 points ahead, the winner is...
TheRealNihilist
Parameters
- Publication date
- Last updated date
- Type
- Standard
- Number of rounds
- 4
- Time for argument
- Three days
- Max argument characters
- 10,468
- Voting period
- One week
- Point system
- Multiple criterions
- Voting system
- Open
Contender / Con
60
1650
rating
44
debates
77.27%
won
Description
Should the voting age drop down to the age 17, or should it stay the same?
Round 1
With this new generation expanding, there are many teens that are able to drive (with a 21 year old in the passenger seat), donate blood when needed, and going through the law. Why must they wait until they are 18 to vote, why not do it when they are 17? There are many 17-year-olds that shows themselves to be responsible enough to know about civics and government (as shown to be subjects in schools). Those that are 17 have a much bigger voice out there in the world, than those that are mislead in the world. Voting should be marked for a right for not just 18-year-olds, but for those that are ages of 17. Why not do the change now, instead of later?
The aim of the voting age:
I think the aim of the voting age is to have a number which the state can consider the person capable of making a decision like voting on the government. The US is a democracy so the best way to ensure the most capable are voting is to make guidelines. A voting age is one such way.
My position:
I want it to increase to 25. I could have simply just defended 18 but I didn't. The number 25 isn't arbitrary because sciences does state the brain is fully developed at an age of 25. With this in mind for someone to be capable of making an informed decision they would have to be able to use their entire brain. Given that the prefrontal cortex as in the rational part of your brain isn't developed until 25. It means you will be making a less rational decision then what you were capable of doing at age 25.
Now if this is not part of my burden then I will have to make a separate argument for why the voting age should stay the same:
Given that the brain is fully developed at 25. 18 is closer to that number than 17. With this in mind 1 year closer to a fully developed brain is better than a 1 year less closer brain to 25.
My opponent did say "go ahead" in the comments so I think that means I am allowed to rebut in the first Round. Thanks.
Rebuttals
With this new generation expanding, there are many teens that are able to drive (with a 21 year old in the passenger seat), donate blood when needed, and going through the law.
It would have been really good if you were able to provide sources on why the laws are like they are now so that we can see if the reasons are arbitrary or if there is some sort of inconsistency with the laws being applied.
Why must they wait until they are 18 to vote, why not do it when they are 17?
There is a 1 year difference. That 1 year is closer to 25 than the voting age being lowered.
There are many 17-year-olds that shows themselves to be responsible enough to know about civics and government (as shown to be subjects in schools).
If it was about who was the most informed about politics. Turns out most people are not. The source I gave stated that only 34% of Americans knew the 3 branches of government. This is enough for me to state most of the population is woefully uneducated about politics so if you think simply reducing the age would increase the amount of people informed to vote as in what a democracy is then that wouldn't be the case.
Using anecdotes as in "many 17-year-olds" doesn't counter more detailed data.
Those that are 17 have a much bigger voice out there in the world, than those that are mislead in the world.
Didn't state in what way 17's have a bigger voice and I wait for you to do so.
Voting should be marked for a right for not just 18-year-olds, but for those that are ages of 17
Why?
Why not do the change now, instead of later?
Maybe it isn't a good idea to do either.
Round 2
Increasing the age limit to vote would not make sense. Raising the voting age would also be muting the voices of the youth community, keep the voting age down to a minimum. Everyone has a right, why can't the 17-year-olds have some rights to vote as well?
Having maturity is not just placed upon the 18-50 aging range. That also is also filled with a combination of immaturity people.
As told from the article
"Opponents inboth parties have expressed doubts that 16-year-olds are mature enough to vote. But local, youth-led campaigns to lower the voting age have persisted since at least 2013, when Takoma Park, Md., gave 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in municipal elections."
Teens has been fighting this for ages, and yet old-heads (a word my father once used) are always placing it off as a "maturity to age" spectrum. But they never really seem to understand the bigger picture!
Welcome to the big generation, where everyone (politicians) are starting to show themselves for what they really are, and teens of this generation are getting smarter everyday and are getting pretty damn upset about not being able to vote like everyone else. And what do you people still want to do? Oh yeah, separate the bodies of maturity from the bodies of wanting to be able to vote.
How is it the fact that countries like Austria are able to lower the voting age to 16, yet America is still behind hiding behind the minds of the 40s-60s because they seemed teens as being slow, or not smart enough to know how to vote?
Really America?
Increasing the age limit to vote would not make sense.
Guess my 25 year old argument will be accepted thanks.
Raising the voting age would also be muting the voices of the youth community
Okay? A democracy works best if voters are well informed. If we lower the voting age there will be less informed people voting on actual changes to America. I couldn't care about appealing to some crowd if it isn't beneficial. You haven't said why I should care about the youth nor have you implied it.
Everyone has a right, why can't the 17-year-olds have some rights to vote as well?
My reason above and in the early Round was 1. You haven't yet debunked and I am wondering why you are appealing to the crowd or accidentally missed that I actually gave an answer to that question.
Having maturity is not just placed upon the 18-50 aging range. That also is also filled with a combination of immaturity people.
Since this is a debate on voting "age" you are neither making an argument for your side nor are you for me.
"Opponents inboth parties have expressed doubts that 16-year-olds are mature enough to vote. But local, youth-led campaigns to lower the voting age have persisted since at least 2013, when Takoma Park, Md., gave 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in municipal elections."
Giving something doesn't mean we should give it. It is your burden to say why we should value that.
Teens has been fighting this for ages, and yet old-heads (a word my father once used) are always placing it off as a "maturity to age" spectrum. But they never really seem to understand the bigger picture!
The bigger picture will equal a less informed voting population which America is not lacking.
Welcome to the big generation, where everyone (politicians) are starting to show themselves for what they really are, and teens of this generation are getting smarter everyday and are getting pretty damn upset about not being able to vote like everyone else.
When the ignorant voter % has decreased you may have a case. For now you don't and the source I used before showed that.
And what do you people still want to do? Oh yeah, separate the bodies of maturity from the bodies of wanting to be able to vote.
Yes.
How is it the fact that countries like Austria are able to lower the voting age to 16, yet America is still behind hiding behind the minds of the 40s-60s because they seemed teens as being slow, or not smart enough to know how to vote?
A country doing something doesn't make it good. You are supposed to say how it is good.
Round 3
Wow... You did good Omar, not only did you provide me with the information of why the age should not be lowered but you also brought some feedback in. I'm gonna have to give you the win.
Well done friend.
Thanks I guess.
Round 4
Forfeited
Okay.
Criterion Pro Tie Con Points
Better arguments ✗ ✗ ✔ 3 points
Better sources ✗ ✗ ✔ 2 points
Better spelling and grammar ✗ ✗ ✔ 1 point
Better conduct ✗ ✗ ✔ 1 point
##############
PRO concedes
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MOD NOTE: Conceded debates are NOT moderated unless they vote for the forfeiting side.
**********************
4 for 4 for predictions and easy wins, let;s go
Where is the snarky comments?
In the absence of rules you are going to vote however you like?
Wolf hunter got destroyed
As long as I award you the balance of points: a conceded debate is unmoderated.
I award conduct only for concessions as conceding when the other side has won, is classy and to be encouraged.
Snarky comments at only being awarded a balance of 5 points, on the other hand - is not.
Where was that in your reason for voting?
Isn't a concession similar to a FF where you are supposed to award me the points?
Given that both mean that my opponent either stated he forfeits or forfeits by not saying anything.
Because he gracefully conceded the debate, showing class, and style.
Why are you objecting to me awarding you a delta of 5 points?
How does he win the conduct vote?
It honestly should be 25. Let people understand how taxation, health care, and businesses work before they vote for free everything. They need to know nothing is free
EASIETS win for omar, hunter wold will probaly get mad half way thorugh!
EASIETS win for omar, hunter wold will probaly get mad half way thorugh!
It's 16 where I am from; I didn't know many exercising their right.
I think anyone who votes should provide an issue stating why they support the person that they do. If your not involved with politics, you shouldn't be encouraged to vote.
too much influence by parents, should be 21, let them see the real world first a little
It should be raised
Go ahead.
I will have my argument early tomorrow if I can or late tomorrow. I'll try and be detailed so that you understand my position.
Am I allowed to rebut in the first Round?