Age limit for voting
Age limit for voting
The Issue
Petition: Age limit for voting
"Voting shapes the future of a population. However, voting after the age of 75 may lead to outcomes that favor short-term interests, rather than the long-term needs of those who represent the future of the population."
TLDR; in the end
Hello, my name is Ani Kallioniemi and when having conversation about a citizen’s initiative I would love to take upon; this came to mind.
As a newly turned 21 year old; I believe I understand the importance of democracy and voting during elections more. This is actually still an ongoing issue in Finland as in the past the youth was not necessarily that concerned with voting.
There has thankfully been a shift within the youth voting; where according to Yle (the governmental news broadcasting system in Finland) there has been an increase within interest in politics and we have seen an overall increase in voting activity (across all age groups!); but still with 18–24 year olds lagging behind with an around 55% voting turn out rate; whereas the overall average is 72%.
The reason I think an age limit for voting should be implemented was further confirmed with whatever is happening in the United States of America (I’m sorry America but how was it that at one point the only possible options were 2 grandpas way in their retirement age…).
The way Biden was presenting himself came as an utter shock to me and got me to realize that people which clearly do not possess the best cognitive capabilities should NOT be given the opportunity to be able to affect whatever is going on in one’s country that deeply.
I am very much open to conversation and would love to hear different perspectives to this; however my main goal with this petition would be an age cap to Finnish voters (and who knows, maybe worldwide) so that 75+ year old would not be given the opportunity to affect the future generations.
In my head it does not make sense that someone (likely) unfamiliar with how the world has evolved is given the opportunity to still vote for their beliefs and values that maybe held true 50 years ago.
This is not to say that merely due to the differences in values one should not be able to vote but according to multiple studies as we age; cognitive decline does occur whether we like it or not.
Personally who am I to say what the age limit should be; however i can very well say that an age limit SHOULD be implemented. That is the goal of this petition.
Whether that be 65+ year olds (where 65–74 year olds have the biggest voting turn out percentage in Finland) or 75+ year olds (67.5% voting turn out) I am not sure; and personally I don’t care that much – as long as some kind of age limit will come, I will be happy.
Before someone says this is “ageism”; how is it not ageism that the minimum age for voting is 18 years old? (in Finland)
It goes both ways. If there is a lower limit to what age one has to be to be able to vote; there should be an upper limit.
That is not to say that there could not be any exceptions; I would more than happily welcome the idea of after taking a cognitive test and them passing with flying colors; one is able to vote regardless of their age; but then again – if that would apply to older people; it should also apply to younger ones.
I am passionate about this petition as well the things we vote for (where the older generations have a lot of influence over) are things WE; the new generation and future generations will have to live through. Therefore, I think it would make complete sense to want what we think is best for us and our future generations and not what a 75+ year old thinks is best.
If you even slightly agree with whatever is being said in this petition I urge you to please help me spread the word and sign this petition so that we could actually implement this within our democracy.
I would like to also thank each and every one of you for reading this fully and hopefully we can be the change our country needs.
Links:
When does age-related cognitive decline begin?
Mental Disorders in Older People
TLDR; age limit for voters (whether that is 65+ or 75+ idc; as long as there will be an age limit)
381
The Issue
Petition: Age limit for voting
"Voting shapes the future of a population. However, voting after the age of 75 may lead to outcomes that favor short-term interests, rather than the long-term needs of those who represent the future of the population."
TLDR; in the end
Hello, my name is Ani Kallioniemi and when having conversation about a citizen’s initiative I would love to take upon; this came to mind.
As a newly turned 21 year old; I believe I understand the importance of democracy and voting during elections more. This is actually still an ongoing issue in Finland as in the past the youth was not necessarily that concerned with voting.
There has thankfully been a shift within the youth voting; where according to Yle (the governmental news broadcasting system in Finland) there has been an increase within interest in politics and we have seen an overall increase in voting activity (across all age groups!); but still with 18–24 year olds lagging behind with an around 55% voting turn out rate; whereas the overall average is 72%.
The reason I think an age limit for voting should be implemented was further confirmed with whatever is happening in the United States of America (I’m sorry America but how was it that at one point the only possible options were 2 grandpas way in their retirement age…).
The way Biden was presenting himself came as an utter shock to me and got me to realize that people which clearly do not possess the best cognitive capabilities should NOT be given the opportunity to be able to affect whatever is going on in one’s country that deeply.
I am very much open to conversation and would love to hear different perspectives to this; however my main goal with this petition would be an age cap to Finnish voters (and who knows, maybe worldwide) so that 75+ year old would not be given the opportunity to affect the future generations.
In my head it does not make sense that someone (likely) unfamiliar with how the world has evolved is given the opportunity to still vote for their beliefs and values that maybe held true 50 years ago.
This is not to say that merely due to the differences in values one should not be able to vote but according to multiple studies as we age; cognitive decline does occur whether we like it or not.
Personally who am I to say what the age limit should be; however i can very well say that an age limit SHOULD be implemented. That is the goal of this petition.
Whether that be 65+ year olds (where 65–74 year olds have the biggest voting turn out percentage in Finland) or 75+ year olds (67.5% voting turn out) I am not sure; and personally I don’t care that much – as long as some kind of age limit will come, I will be happy.
Before someone says this is “ageism”; how is it not ageism that the minimum age for voting is 18 years old? (in Finland)
It goes both ways. If there is a lower limit to what age one has to be to be able to vote; there should be an upper limit.
That is not to say that there could not be any exceptions; I would more than happily welcome the idea of after taking a cognitive test and them passing with flying colors; one is able to vote regardless of their age; but then again – if that would apply to older people; it should also apply to younger ones.
I am passionate about this petition as well the things we vote for (where the older generations have a lot of influence over) are things WE; the new generation and future generations will have to live through. Therefore, I think it would make complete sense to want what we think is best for us and our future generations and not what a 75+ year old thinks is best.
If you even slightly agree with whatever is being said in this petition I urge you to please help me spread the word and sign this petition so that we could actually implement this within our democracy.
I would like to also thank each and every one of you for reading this fully and hopefully we can be the change our country needs.
Links:
When does age-related cognitive decline begin?
Mental Disorders in Older People
TLDR; age limit for voters (whether that is 65+ or 75+ idc; as long as there will be an age limit)
381
The Decision Makers
Share this petition
Petition created on August 22, 2024