ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Votes at 16

Okay kiddo, so you know how a lot of things in life have rules and regulations that only apply to people who are a certain age? Like how you have to be at least 5 years old to go to kindergarten or how you have to be 16 to get a driver's license?

Well, the same thing goes for voting in elections. In most countries, including the US, you have to be at least 18 years old to vote in elections. That's because when you turn 18, you are legally considered an adult and are allowed to make important decisions on your own.

However, some people think that younger people, like those who are 16 years old, should also be allowed to vote in elections. They believe that 16-year-olds are old enough to understand the issues and have opinions on who should lead their country.

The idea behind allowing 16-year-olds to vote is that it gives them a say in the decisions that will affect their future, such as education, jobs, and climate change. It also allows them to have a voice in the political process and feel more involved in their communities.

However, not everyone agrees with this idea. Some people think that 16-year-olds are too young and inexperienced to make informed decisions about who to vote for. They worry that young people may not fully understand the consequences of their choices and could be easily swayed by others.

There are currently some countries, such as Austria, Brazil, and Scotland, that allow 16-year-olds to vote in general elections. In the US, a few states have allowed 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections, but not yet in national elections.

So, in summary, some people think that 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote because they are old enough to understand the issues and have opinions on who should lead their country, while others think they are too young and inexperienced to make informed decisions.