One thing that always runs through any election is the concern about voter turnout. Here is an idea worth considering.
Quebec’s Education Act promotes the idea of introducing high school students to democracy. In the meantime, Élections Québec has published guides aimed at educating our young people by providing them with relevant information on democracy-related programs.
Indeed, the word of the day is: “Our young people today are the citizens of tomorrow. »
Yet, because of their age, these students who participate in school democracy are not allowed to vote in municipal, provincial or federal elections.
So why not lower the voting age to 16?
Let’s not forget that reaching the age of 16 has a special significance in our culture. For example, at age 16, citizens can drive, marry and work for the first time without restrictions on the number of hours.
Young people are expected to follow the law, but not have a say while having to follow the tax law. Every year they pay millions of dollars in income taxes, but they have no representation as to how those funds are spent. Let us remember the following: “No taxation without representation”.
That said, studies show that when 16 and 17 year olds engage in civic activities and the voting age is lowered, voter turnout increases. Voting is something you do out of habit — people who vote in one election are more likely to vote in the next election.
Many people think that 16-year-olds can’t make informed, mature decisions about voting. This is not necessarily the case. With the Internet, our young people are more educated than ever.
Lowering the voting age could even encourage some parents and other family members to vote, thereby increasing voter turnout.
Most societies are constantly striving to create a better world, which will improve the world in which the next generation will live. Who better than the next generation can join this exchange? The more young people are able to vote, the more their voices will be heard.