Our friends across the pond in the United Kingdom just passed monumental reforms giving 16-year-olds the right to vote in all elections. Though seemingly technical, this major change represents a watershed moment in the nation’s electoral system. It has raised important questions regarding what this decision can mean. Stefanie Dekker is host of “The Stream.” She is spearheading a national, energetic conversation on this sensitive subject, bringing together very different, often adversarial viewpoints.
Joining the conversation this time around is Cameron Holt, Member of the UK Youth Parliament for Bassetlaw. Holt advocates for the inclusion of younger voters, arguing that engaging teenagers in the political process fosters civic responsibility and encourages informed participation in democracy. He has faith that young people will understand the stakes involving political issues. They must have a say in decisions that will affect their futures.
Joining Holt is Thomas Brochure, the Co-director of Make It 16 NZ. He has been leading the charge internationally for younger voting ages across the globe. The case studies included in the brochure showcase how important youth representation is to all levels of governance. It continues to maintain that young people are able to make reasoned decisions and provide fresh perspectives that contribute to a greater political discourse.
As you might guess, not everyone is on board with creating this new right for 16-year-olds. Opponents of the reform have said that 16 is too young for voters to be able to make such important political decisions. This revelation casts doubt on their maturity and experience required to handle complex electoral matters. Other critics threaten that reducing the voting age will undermine the integrity of our electoral system. They argue that younger voters are more vulnerable to outside influences and less knowledgeable about their options.
Nuurrianti Jalli, an international researcher based at Oklahoma State University rounds out the perspective. Jalli explores new research findings revealing the adult-to-voter transition of young adults. He takes a deeper look at the psychology involved in decision making at a younger age. Her expert observations are intended to supplement our comprehension of the ways this important demographic is interacting with political discourse.
The recent reforms in the UK represent a sea change in that nation’s electoral policy. Taken together, they point toward a major, if not much remarked trend for inclusivity in democratic processes. As 16-year-olds prepare to vote, they are igniting valuable conversations about maturity and responsibility. This nation needs to address these important questions to protect the future of its electoral integrity.
