The Youth Vote Discussion

One of the odd aspects of Germany and elections.....is the age situation.

In municipal elections (cities)....there are 10 states where a 16-year old can vote.  There are even four German states where 16-year olds can vote.  In the federal election....you must be 18 years old to vote.

There is a discussion underway within the Bundestag on this topic.  Some people think that since a high number of the 16-and-17 year olds are working within the apprentice fields already....being taxed....that they ought have the right to vote.  Some also say that the vote-weight that exists with older generations (particularly over the age of retirement) needs to be counter-balanced.

But then, this topic of immature minds and inability to grasp the fundamentals come up.  In the general opinion, people believe that a great reasoning power descends upon eighteen-year-olds and they see the broad landscape (sarcastically spoken of course).

Do younger people (under 18) vote more toward left-of-center or far-left?  No one can cite much evidence of that.  Germany already allows wine and beer consumption at 16....so they must believe they are adult-enough to make alcohol decisions.

Would most 16-year-olds even show up to vote?  One can cite the city-elections where given the right....they will show up.

My humble opinion is that this topic will eventually reach a stage (maybe not in 2017) where the Bundestag will allow the youth vote to occur in national elections.  I'll also go and predict out of thin air...some political comes to exist that is geared ONLY toward the younger generation and attempt to gravitate most of the youth vote to their political party.