e220449 Edoardo Bruna 29/01/2023

Week #3
During our last class on law, we discussed the proposal to lower the voting age from
18 to 16 in Italy, and I must say that I am firmly opposed to this idea. While there may be
some superficial arguments in favour of this proposal, a deeper examination of the issues
reveals many compelling reasons to maintain the current voting age.

One of the main arguments in favour of lowering the voting age is that 16 and 17-year-
olds are already considered adults in many areas of society, such as the ability to work and
pay taxes. However, the ability to vote is a significant responsibility, and being able to do
certain things as an adult does not necessarily mean that one is ready to vote. Voting is not
just a right but a responsibility and civic duty. It requires knowledge, maturity, and a sense of
civic responsibility. Lowering the voting age would effectively grant this right to individuals
who may still need to fully develop the ability to understand and weigh the consequences of
their actions.

Another argument for lowering the voting age is that many 16 and 17-year-olds are
politically engaged and informed. While this may be true for some, it is essential to remember
that many young people may not have formed their political views yet, and may be more
likely to be swayed by peer pressure or their parent's opinions. As an example, when I was
16, I was not interested in politics and did not have enough information to make a reasoned
vote. This is a common experience among young people, and lowering the voting age would
mean that these young people would be casting a vote that could have long-term
consequences without genuinely understanding the issues.

Additionally, there may be concerns about the potential for increased voter fraud if
the voting age is lowered. Voting is a sacred right and should be protected with the utmost
care. Lowering the voting age could open the doors to fraud and manipulation, as it would be
much easier to influence young people's opinions and decisions. It could also lead to an
increase in the number of invalid or void votes, as 16 and 17-year-olds may need more
knowledge or experience to cast a valid vote.

In conclusion, while some superficial arguments may favour lowering the voting age
from 18 to 16 in Italy, a deeper examination reveals many compelling reasons to maintain the
current voting age. Lowering the voting age would be a mistake, as it would grant the right to
vote to individuals who may still need to fully develop the ability to understand and weigh the
consequences of their actions. Our duty as a society is to ensure that only those who are
genuinely ready and capable of making informed decisions at the ballot box are given the
right to vote.