Page 15 - Toluna NZ News Magazine - October

THE COMMUNITY

TOPIC COMMENTS

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THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DEBATE ABOUT
WHETHER THE VOTING AGE IN NEW
ZEALAND SHOULD BE LOWERED TO 16. WE
WERE CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT OUR NZ
COMMUNITY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS.

L A B E L L A V I T A L L S A Y S :

I don’t believe most 16 year olds are at a place in their life where they care enough
to do any further research beyond sound bites they hear. Parroting others opinions

is not exactly a true democracy and says more about their influences than actual
opinions. I’d argue at 18 you aren’t much better prepared for this but do take the
responsibility more seriously as you are making life decisions for yourself more

often at this point at least.

S A Z Z U M S A Y S :

I think sixteen year olds should be allowed to vote. We allow older adults with

varying levels of mental capacity/ education to vote, some of whom will have
lower levels of intellect/ education/ maturity than 16 year-olds. Additionally with

the climate crisis, the most important environmental policies will
disproportionately affect the younger generation, and their views should carry

more weight than those in our ageing population, who will not be as affected.

K A Z Z A 7 0 S A Y S :

No I don't think so. Votes determine how tax dollars are spent and you have little

understanding of that impact, or the bigger picture, at 16

H G W O N D E R F U L F A M I L Y S A Y S :

Starting young could get them interested after all whats the point, moaning about

things you are unhappy about if you don't vote?or can't vote. Other countries have
started to realize that voting is important. People have died for this freedom, the

sooner this is realized the better.

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