A constant debate involving lowering Romania’s voting age to 16 has been going on for years. The majority of people still question whether 16-year-olds are mature enough to vote, notwithstanding the fact that at 16 you can get a job, so you pay taxes, in certain contexts. You can be arrested and held accountable for your own actions, making you cognitively capable of acting on your own beliefs and even drive certain types of cars, meaning that you don't put other people's lives in danger. Including at the level of criminal responsibility, the state puts the equal sign between a minor, with a minimum age of 16 and an adult. However, teenagers still can’t vote. Paradoxical, right?
Voting at the age of 16 is not only a right that is slowly beginning to be accepted in most European nations who have recognized the benefits of empowering younger voters, but it should also be something normal in our country since Romanian laws clearly state that a 16-year-old citizen is capable of rational thinking.
In addition, most teenagers are more informed than some adults. They have access to digital tools which allow them to read various news sources, fact-check information, and engage with global perspectives. A big part of the adult population rely on limited or traditional media outlets, potentially missing out on political reports. The lack of information access contributes to issues within the Romanian government, for example, citizens may struggle to participate in democratic processes due to poor information about their rights and responsibilities which can lead to low voter turnout and back off from civic activities. The electorate which is not fully informed can lead to the election of officials who do not address the country's matters correctly, for instance, voters might tend to support candidates based on promises that lack practicability, resulting in the selection of leaders who prioritise their personal gains over solutions to real issues such as healthcare and education.
In Romania, the country in which where trust in the government and political system remains low, young people need to feel that their voices matter. I strongly support lowering the voting age to 16 because allowing them the right
to vote could lead to more progressive policies.
Engaging teenagers in voting can foster lifelong civic responsibility. Involvement in the democratic process encourages continuous participation, which is mandatory for a healthy democracy. After all, why should the old generation decide the future of the new generation? Since we inhabit this world together, it goes without saying, that we should decide together.
Iuga Daria, XI F
留言