Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1365931
Education "I think a lot of the time, we treat voting as like, that's for the 'real adults.' Like, I still have to ask permission to go to the bathroom. It's probably not really clicking in my brain that I can vote." Maxwell, 15, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland. This quote accurately captures the feelings of many youth today when thinking about the possibility of voting at age 16. Although youth want to be engaged in the political process, it is difficult to achieve this given the substantial barriers we face. In the 2011 election, 18% of respondents stated they felt high motivation, but faced many barriers to voting. While youth are striving to take 3 action to overcome these barriers, many of these barriers are beyond our control. These barriers include youth lacking proper understanding of the political process, facing challenges in the convenience of voting and being able to reach a polling station, and dealing with the pressures of our peers and family around political conversations and actions. Within these barriers, there are many solutions—some fairly simple and others requiring more effort—that would greatly improve the acumen of young voters. By acknowledging and addressing the important and unique issues that youth face, there is a greater chance that young voters will participate in the voting processes. "I believe that it would make a positive impact lowering the voting age to 16. If students were well informed and knew how to vote, it might help." Alexia, Chestermere, Alberta One of the most common concerns raised by opponents of lowering the voting age is that students lack the basic knowledge, Elections Canada. (2011) National Youth Survey Report. Retrieved from https://www.elections.ca/ 3 content.aspx?section=res&dir=rec/part/nysr&document=p6&lang=e