The idea of allowing voters to mark an X on a ballot at the age of 16 is up for consideration, but that change, if approved, isn’t expected to be in place for September’s election.
Political Science Professor at UPEI Don Desserud says there’s no absolute recipe to help decide exactly what the best age is to vote, “Age of requirements, which we use in all sorts of different activities, are fundamentally arbitrary. You try to make a judgement based on the average maturity level of the age group based on the decisions they have to make and what the consequences will be. There’s no absolute recipe for this. There’s no science that says this age is the right one, and this one is not. There is nothing magic about turning 18, and that you suddenly become an engaged citizen, so I think 16 is a reasonable suggestions and it should be looked at very carefully.”
Desserud says maybe getting people into the system at a younger age, will encourage them to take a interest, “It may increase their interest and engage them as they get older. Voting turnout is problematic. The younger you are, the less likely you re to vote, but that is also why some people are arguing to put the age to 16, because maybeit will peak an interest, so that they decide to cast a ballot when they are 18.”
