tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446351548038522890.post5353359520259707389..comments2024-03-28T16:15:19.319-04:00Comments on Saideman's Semi-Spew: Giving Kids the Vote?Steve Saidemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881915512311951902noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446351548038522890.post-7621782872820025832018-03-19T13:19:43.581-04:002018-03-19T13:19:43.581-04:00There is a literature on the effects of reducing v...There is a literature on the effects of reducing voting age. I do not know this lit well, but it seems to range from findings of no real effect to findings of significant boost in turnout propensity. This lit is on Scotland (where 16-year-olds could vote in the independence referendum and Scottish Parliament elections) and Austria (where there's been some experimentation at local level).<br /><br />Part of the logic for reducing voting age is precisely that those of that age group are still dependent on their parents, and more likely to form voting habits than when away at college as many are by 18. I think at least one study also suggests that parents of 16 yo are themselves likelier to vote when they have a newly eligible youngster at home. <br /><br />I can't say for sure, but I think the first country to lower voting age to 16 was Nicaragua (Sandinista youth support). <br /><br />As for myself, I am not sure whether I think it is a good idea or not. But I'm certainly not against it, based on current information.Matthew Shugart a.k.a @laderafrutalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13659011281858925789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446351548038522890.post-28717919979687943712018-03-19T13:14:29.247-04:002018-03-19T13:14:29.247-04:00Yes, the draft age was very much part of the advoc...Yes, the draft age was very much part of the advocacy of lowering the voting age to 18 back in the 1970s. (Saying this from memory; I am a bit older than you.)Matthew Shugart a.k.a @laderafrutalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13659011281858925789noreply@blogger.com