mjecNov 10, 2022

I mentioned on theworst.site that I think the voting age should be lowered to zero. I'm restating that here because I think it's important.

My ideal model: compulsory voting, and you can register any time, but must register before you leave school. This must be coupled with careful thought about how we make voting accessible, especially to the very young. But I think we can and should do it.

Show threadBrad GreenleeNov 10, 2022
@mjec Do you think someone under the age of, say, 12 can have an informed opinion that's not just a reflection of their parents' views? Does that not just amplify the voting power of people who have a lot of kids?
Show threadmjecNov 10, 2022
@brad certainly, and especially if they're treated by society as a constituency. But let's say I'm wrong, and this means children get counted as people for the purpose of determining political power; would that be so bad? Wouldn't parents act in the best interests of their families? And doesn't every member of that family deserve representation?
Show threadnancyNov 10, 2022
@mjec @brad How would you treat the right to vote of a comatose adult?
Show threadmjec
@nancyhawa @brad fascinating question. I think they deserve representation too, but I'm not certain how you do it. Make it delegable under an enduring power of attorney, I guess, though only on demonstrated incapacity; and default to some next of kin if available; and failing that no vote.
Nov 10, 2022 at 3:50amMastodon for Android
Show threadnancyNov 11, 2022
@mjec @brad To me, the example of the comatose adult doesn't seem that different than a zero year old, except that the zero year old doesn't even have the theoretical option to weigh in. Presuming that parents will vote in the interests of their children doesn't seem that far a cry, to me, from presuming that congressmen will vote in the interest of their constituents. It is a hope, not a fact.