Should the franchise be extended further?

Question 1

Explain arguments for the voting age being lowered to 16

Answer 1

• boosts participation e.g. Scotland, 2014: 75% of 16-17 year olds voted in the referendum
• young people want to engage in politics at 16 e.g. Scotland: 97% of those 16-17 year olds who voted said they would vote again in future elections & referendums
• young people are affected by future decisions that have a long-term impact, therefore deserve a say in those decisions e.g. Brexit
• in line with other rights that people have at 16 e.g. join the armed forces; employment; paying taxes
• Labour, Lib Dem & SNP policy to lower the voting age
• will increase the focus on youth issues
• parties will be forced to adopt policies in these areas
• some young people are more politically aware than adults

Question 2

Explain counter-arguments for the voting age being lowered to 16

Answer 2

• lack of information/education
• young people still developing their political views at that age
• further demands to lower the voting age
• young people are less likely to vote so turnout would go down
• in the 2015 general election, only 43% of 18-24 year olds voted as well as 54% of 25-34 year olds; compared to 66% across all voters
• in the 2019 general election, only 47% of 18-24 year olds voted
• in the Scottish independence election, the 75% of 16-17 year olds who voted is a lower percentage than the overall turnout of 85%