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Grits want voting age dropped to 16
But premier isn’t so sure younger teens mature enough
By AMY SMITH Provincial Reporter
Sat. Nov 1 - 6:07 AM
The voting age in Nova Scotia should be reduced to 16, says Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil.
Mr. McNeil introduced a bill in the legislature Friday that would shave two years off the minimum age of 18.
"At 16, I believe those young Nova Scotians are mature enough to understand and realize that decisions that we as government are making will impact their lives," he said.
"A 16-year-old today will be affected by the fact we’ll be talking and passing legislation dealing with post-secondary education, for example, that they’ll have to live with. They should have a right to cast their ballot on that and pass judgment on the government."
Mr. McNeil said he also thinks reducing the voting age would help boost voter turnout. Along with the legislation, he said, civics should be brought back into the province’s high schools.
"This is a way to engage them early on and allow them to have their voice in the democratic process," he said.
At 17, Laura Wright says she could make a well-informed decision if she had the right to vote — but she’s not sure about some of her peers.
"I just don’t know if students are ready to make that decision at such a young age," said the student at Citadel High School in Halifax.
"I just don’t know that 16 is the appropriate age. . . . You’re faced with a lot of decisions at 16. You’re in Grade 10, you’re entering your first year of high school; you’ve got a lot going on personally, socially, academically. It’s a lot to take in that year. I know it was for me."
Laura, who said the law should not be changed, feels that by the time students turn 18 they are more mature, better informed and ready to cast a ballot.
Premier Rodney MacDonald said he has some concerns about changing the voting age, and his view echoed Laura’s.
"The age of 18 reflects a student or young person leaving their high school years, getting prepared to go on to their post-secondary education or into the workforce. And there is a difference between a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old," he said. "So I do have some reservations with respect to the bill."
Still, he said, he will review Mr. McNeil’s proposal and give it some consideration.
Link to Full Article
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I cannot express how heartily I disagree with this proposal. I don't believe that most 18-year-olds fully comprehend the process and the impact of their votes, let alone those a year to two years younger.
Here's where I think the Liberals are getting this idea: Some schools had a mock election around the time leading up to the real federal election. The Liberals were likely a popular vote among students. I know that at my daughter's elementary school, the Liberals won by a landslide.
You know, if we lower the voting age to 8 (my daughter's age), the Liberals would have it made in the shade. 8)
But premier isn’t so sure younger teens mature enough
By AMY SMITH Provincial Reporter
Sat. Nov 1 - 6:07 AM
The voting age in Nova Scotia should be reduced to 16, says Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil.
Mr. McNeil introduced a bill in the legislature Friday that would shave two years off the minimum age of 18.
"At 16, I believe those young Nova Scotians are mature enough to understand and realize that decisions that we as government are making will impact their lives," he said.
"A 16-year-old today will be affected by the fact we’ll be talking and passing legislation dealing with post-secondary education, for example, that they’ll have to live with. They should have a right to cast their ballot on that and pass judgment on the government."
Mr. McNeil said he also thinks reducing the voting age would help boost voter turnout. Along with the legislation, he said, civics should be brought back into the province’s high schools.
"This is a way to engage them early on and allow them to have their voice in the democratic process," he said.
At 17, Laura Wright says she could make a well-informed decision if she had the right to vote — but she’s not sure about some of her peers.
"I just don’t know if students are ready to make that decision at such a young age," said the student at Citadel High School in Halifax.
"I just don’t know that 16 is the appropriate age. . . . You’re faced with a lot of decisions at 16. You’re in Grade 10, you’re entering your first year of high school; you’ve got a lot going on personally, socially, academically. It’s a lot to take in that year. I know it was for me."
Laura, who said the law should not be changed, feels that by the time students turn 18 they are more mature, better informed and ready to cast a ballot.
Premier Rodney MacDonald said he has some concerns about changing the voting age, and his view echoed Laura’s.
"The age of 18 reflects a student or young person leaving their high school years, getting prepared to go on to their post-secondary education or into the workforce. And there is a difference between a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old," he said. "So I do have some reservations with respect to the bill."
Still, he said, he will review Mr. McNeil’s proposal and give it some consideration.
Link to Full Article
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I cannot express how heartily I disagree with this proposal. I don't believe that most 18-year-olds fully comprehend the process and the impact of their votes, let alone those a year to two years younger.
Here's where I think the Liberals are getting this idea: Some schools had a mock election around the time leading up to the real federal election. The Liberals were likely a popular vote among students. I know that at my daughter's elementary school, the Liberals won by a landslide.
You know, if we lower the voting age to 8 (my daughter's age), the Liberals would have it made in the shade. 8)
There certainly would have to be changes made to a lot of other existing laws if this age lowering were to be implemented. It's a slippery slope, indeed. I just cannot see this proposed law passing in Parliament...not now, not ever. The Liberals are certainly good at coming up with 'new and interesting' ideas to keep them in the media spotlight. 8)
