UK wants to lower voting age to 16
Listen to the story (American accent)
The UK government has a new plan. It wants 16-year-old people to vote. Now, people vote at 18.
If Parliament says yes, 16-year-olds can vote in all UK elections.
The government thinks this helps democracy. Democracy means people choose their leaders.
In Scotland and Wales 16-year-olds can already vote in some elections.
Other countries let young people vote too. Austria changed to 16 in 2008. Brazil and Argentina also let younger people vote.
Many people like this idea. They say voting early is a good habit. They think it makes democracy stronger. Young people can learn about government in school and then vote.
But some people do not like the plan. They think it only helps one political party. The Labour Party is the government now. Young people might vote for them.
The Conservative Party does not like it. A Conservative person asked why 16-year-olds can vote but cannot buy alcohol or get married.
Vocabulary13 words
- The UK
- The United Kingdom
- Government
- the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Vote
- to give your opinion and make an official choice; a way of making a decision by asking a group of people
- Parliament
- a special group of politicians who make laws for the country
- Election
- a process or event in which people vote to choose a leader or winner
- Democracy
- A system of government where the people choose leaders by voting;
- Choose
- to decide; to pick; to pick out;
- Leader
- someone who is in charge of a group, organization or country; a boss or manager; a person who guides, directs, or commands a group
- Let
- allow; give permission to; say OK
- Habit
- a usual way of behaving; something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way; a thing that you do often and almost without thinking
- Political
- Related to government or public affairs; related to politics and the workings of a country
- Party
- A group of people with similar ideas who want to run the government; A group of people who work together in politics; a political “team”
- Get married
- When two people join together to be husband and wife; 👰🤵💒
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The UK _____ has a new plan. It wants 16-year-old _____ to vote. Now, people vote at 18.
If Parliament _____ yes, 16-year-olds can vote in all UK elections.
_____ government thinks this helps democracy. Democracy _____ people choose their leaders.
In Scotland _____ Wales 16-year-olds can already vote in _____ elections.
Other countries let _____ people vote too. Austria changed to 16 in _____. Brazil and Argentina also let younger people vote.
_____ people like this idea. They say voting early is a good _____. They think it makes democracy stronger. _____ people can learn about government in school and _____ vote.
But some people do not _____ the plan. They think it only helps one political _____. The Labour Party is the government now. Young people _____ vote for them.
The Conservative Party does _____ like it. A Conservative person asked why 16-year-olds _____ vote but cannot buy alcohol or get _____.
Discussion questions
- Do you think 16-year-olds should be able to vote? Why or why not?
- What do you think is a good age to start voting?
- Why do you think some people want young people to vote?
- Why do you think some people do not want young people to vote?
- Do you think voting early, like at 16, is a good "habit"?
- In your opinion, what is the most important reason for people to vote?
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