Answer:
Firstly, just because 16-year-olds do other tasks that 18-year-olds do doesn’t mean we should let them do even more. The Whataboutism of “well if we can let them drive, we should let them vote” argument can be reversed. “Well if we can let them drive, we can let them carry a firearm.” “Well if we can let them drive, we can lower the draft age.” Whataboutism is not a good argument.
Secondly, 16-year-olds aren’t well informed enough to make such decisions that can affect the rest of the country. I’m fully aware some 16-year-olds are well informed enough, however the average 16-year-old isn’t. According to Annenberg Public Policy Center, only 36% of all Americans adults can name the three branches of government. Most of these adults have presumably graduated high school. So now we are going to let high schoolers, the majority who are two years away from receiving the same education as these uninformed adults, the right to vote?
Third, a lot of people contend that lowering the voting age would increase voter participation. How so? For example, 16 and 17-year-olds were allowed to vote in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. Results showed 16- and 17-year old voter participation was in the middle of pack among age groups. While it’s not a baseless argument, it’s not an argument that has much merit.
The final contention is the thought that 16-year-olds are just as mature as 18-year-olds. Yes, that is an actual argument. “Some have questioned the maturity of our youth. I don’t. A sixteen-year-old in 2019 possesses a wisdom and a maturity that comes from 2019 challenges, hardships and threats,” said U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Are you sure? No serious person will contend the average 16-year-old is at an equal maturity level as an 18-year-old.
