I believe lowering the voting age to 16 is a positive reform. First, it gives young people a real stake in the decisions that affect their future. If 16 and 17 year olds pay taxes, go to work, or live under laws made today, they deserve a voice. Second, it can foster a lifelong habit of civic engagement because when people are empowered to vote earlier they are more likely to remain active voters. Third, many countries have tried this already with little disruption to the political order, and Britain’s plan to lower the voting age shows how it can be a meaningful step for democracy.
Some people argue that 16 year olds lack the maturity or life experience to make responsible decisions. I disagree with this because maturity is not strictly tied to age and civic education can help younger voters make informed choices. The risk of uninformed voting is no greater at 16 than at 18 or older. Lowering the voting age strengthens democracy by expanding representation and cultivating engaged citizens.
