Why 16-Year-Olds Should Be Allowed to Vote

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1. 01Why 16-Year-Olds Should Vote

   Good afternoon. I'm sixteen, and I'm a member of my city's youth council in Ottawa. I can work part-time and pay tax on my wages, but I can't vote in national elections. Today, I'll argue that sixteen-year-olds should be allowed to vote.

   下午好。我今年十六岁，是渥太华市青年议会的成员。我可以打零工，也要为自己的工资缴税，但我不能在全国选举中投票。今天，我要论证的是：应该允许十六岁的人投票。

2. 02It's Already Happened

   This isn't just an idea. In 2007, Austria became the first country in the European Union to lower the voting age to sixteen for all elections, from local to national to European.

   这不只是一个设想。2007年，奥地利成为欧盟第一个在所有选举中把投票年龄降到十六岁的国家，从地方选举到全国选举，再到欧洲议会选举。

   Sources: Eva Zeglovits, "Lowering the Voting Age to 16: What Other Countries Can Learn From Austria," Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS); Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Parline: Austria, data on youth

3. 03Reason 1: Decisions Affect Us Most

   My first reason is that today's decisions affect young people the longest. Climate policy, education, and housing will shape our lives for decades. It seems unfair that we have no say.

   我的第一个理由是，今天的决定对年轻人的影响最为长久。气候政策、教育和住房问题，将在未来几十年里塑造我们的生活。我们却没有发言权，这似乎很不公平。

4. 04Reason 2: Better Habits Start Early

   Second, voting is a habit. At sixteen, most of us still live at home and go to school, where teachers can explain how voting works. Starting then could help young people build the habit.

   第二，投票是一种习惯。十六岁时，我们大多数人还住在家里、还在上学，老师可以向我们讲解投票是怎么回事。从那时开始，能帮助年轻人养成投票的习惯。

5. 05Reason 3: We Already Have Responsibilities

   Third, many sixteen-year-olds already have adult responsibilities. We work, we pay tax, and we choose subjects that decide our future careers. If we're trusted with these decisions, why not with a vote?

   第三，许多十六岁的人已经承担着成年人的责任。我们工作、缴税，还要选择决定未来职业的科目。既然这些决定都能交给我们，为什么投票不能？

6. 06"They're Not Mature Enough"

   Critics say sixteen-year-olds aren't mature enough. But we don't test adults before they vote. Some adults are very informed, and some aren't. Age alone isn't a perfect measure of good judgment.

   批评者说，十六岁的人还不够成熟。但我们在成年人投票之前，并不会先考考他们。有些成年人非常了解情况，有些则不然。仅凭年龄，并不能完美地衡量一个人的判断力。

7. 07What Would Help

   Of course, lowering the voting age should come with better civic education, so young voters understand parties, policies, and how to check information.

   当然，降低投票年龄的同时，也应该加强公民教育，让年轻选民了解政党、政策，以及如何核实信息。

8. 08Conclusion

   In conclusion, Austria has shown that voting at sixteen is possible. If we want young people to care about democracy, let's invite them in earlier. Thank you.

   总之，奥地利已经证明，十六岁投票是可行的。如果我们希望年轻人关心民主，那就让我们早一点邀请他们参与进来。谢谢大家。

   Source: Eva Zeglovits, "Lowering the Voting Age to 16: What Other Countries Can Learn From Austria," Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)