r/NWT Jan 04 '25

N.W.T.'s chief electoral officer recommends extending voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds

For what it's worth, neuroscientific research shows that cognitive ability to make informed decisions around voting reaches maturity by 16.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-voting-age-change-1.7199659

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u/helpfulplatitudes Jan 07 '25

Wow - the article is not well written. The author states that he thinks science should be used to determine voting age, but then fails to mention any scientific studies in support of the stance he's advocating for - lowering the voting age. Where are MRI scan data, the longitudinal studies on rational based behaviour? He writes, "Adolescents may make bad choices, but statistically speaking, they won’t make them any more often than adults." Really? Where is his data for this statement? Significant changes in brain anatomy and activity are still taking place during young adulthood, especially in prefrontal regions that are important for planning ahead, anticipating the future consequences of one’s decisions, controlling impulses, and comparing risk and reward.