Britain to lower its voting age to 16
Image: Carlos Jasso/Reuters
Yesterday, the UK government announced plans to lower the country’s voting age from 18 to 16 before the next general election in 2029.
- Supporters describe the plan as essential for getting younger residents more interested in the democratic process, amid a sharp decline in overall election turnout.
- But opponents of the law denounce it as an attempt by the UK Labour Party to tilt the electoral playing field in their favor, arguing that 16-and-17-year-olds aren’t mature enough for voting rights.
The change still needs to make it through the Labour-controlled Parliament before it can take effect. However, analysts say approval likely won’t be an issue.
The age-old question: When are you an adult?
For decades, America has regarded 18 as both the legal voting age and de-facto age of adulthood—but that wasn’t always the case.
The original Constitution left specific voting qualifications up for states to decide, with virtually all early state laws instituting a voting age of 21 (following British legal tradition).
- The first major challenge to America’s voting age came during World War II, when the military draft age was lowered from 21 to 18—causing a handful of states to similarly lower their voting ages.
- The issue picked back up during the Vietnam War, which featured a deeply unpopular military draft that also covered men as young as 18.
- Critics rallied under the argument of "old enough to fight, old enough to vote," resulting in the 26th Amendment in 1971 establishing a minimum voting age of 18 for all US elections (federal, state, and local).
Outside of voting laws, military participation, and tobacco use, most age restrictions are set by each individual US state.
- Some allow 18-year-olds to run for office, go to strip clubs, and drink alcohol under the age of 21 (in certain circumstances), with other states opting for stricter age limits.
- In Alaska, teenagers as young as 14 can get married with a court order, while age of consent laws vary between 16-18 across the US.
Bottom line: For decades, the consensus among researchers has been that most humans’ brains don’t fully develop until age 25. This finding has fueled an ongoing debate among policymakers over what young adults should be legally allowed to do, when science indicates they use less restraint and discipline compared to older folks.
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Sprinkles in favor of age 18 or older for adulthood
- Some commentators argue that the legal age of adulthood should be reevaluated and changed to 21, since 18-to-20-year-olds need more time for their brains to mature and to make more critically thought out decisions.
- Others contend that while many 18-year-olds like to consider themselves adults, the majority of them aren’t quite ready for the responsibility that comes with that title, and should be too young to be considered an adult.
- “Adulthood should begin at 21” –Emily Beebe, Northern Star
- “Is 18 too young to be considered an adult?” –Cammie Johnson, Sun News
- “U.S. “adult” age of 18 is too juvenile” –Emma Flynn, The Breeze
Sprinkles in favor of age 18 or younger for adulthood
- Some commentators argue that the state has no right to deny 18-year-olds the decision-making power over relatively frivolous issues like alcohol and tobacco, compared to what’s otherwise currently demanded of and granted to 18-year-olds.
- Others contend that if 18-year-olds are considered mature enough for jury duty, being sued or suing, buying a house, getting married, voting, or entering the military—they should also have the right to drink, smoke, and gamble.
- “18 or 21? Time to make our mind up on the age of adulthood” –Brad Polumbo, Washington Examiner
- “Standardize age when minors legally become adults” –Bobby Gerome, St Ignatius Eye
- “Legal definition of adulthood boils down to convenience” –David Colborne, The Daily Indy
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