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.

   午安。我今年十六歲，是渥太華市青年議會的成員。我可以打零工，也要為自己的工資繳稅，但我不能在全國選舉中投票。今天，我要論證的是：應該允許十六歲的人投票。

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.

   這不只是一個設想。2007年，奧地利成為歐盟第一個在所有選舉中把投票年齡降到十六歲的國家，從地方選舉到全國選舉，再到歐洲議會選舉。

   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.

   我的第一個理由是，今天的決定對年輕人的影響最為長久。氣候政策、教育和住房問題，將在未來幾十年裡塑造我們的生活。我們卻沒有發言權，這似乎很不公平。

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，投票是一種習慣。十六歲時，我們大多數人還住在家裡、還在上學，老師可以向我們講解投票是怎麼回事。從那時開始，能幫助年輕人養成投票的習慣。

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，許多十六歲的人已經承擔著成年人的責任。我們工作、繳稅，還要選擇決定未來職業的科目。既然這些決定都能交給我們，為什麼投票不能？

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.

   批評者說，十六歲的人還不夠成熟。但我們在成年人投票之前，並不會先考考他們。有些成年人非常瞭解情況，有些則不然。僅憑年齡，並不能完美地衡量一個人的判斷力。

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.

   當然，降低投票年齡的同時，也應該加強公民教育，讓年輕選民瞭解政黨、政策，以及如何核實資訊。

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.

   總之，奧地利已經證明，十六歲投票是可行的。如果我們希望年輕人關心民主，那就讓我們早一點邀請他們參與進來。謝謝大家。

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