The Right To Vote

[Mousey]

Most developed nations in the world have universal suffrage. This means that all citizens of that country over the designated age (usually 18) are entitled to vote in general elections and referenda.

It is a right that everyone over 18 in Ireland has, although many people choose not to exercise that right. Perhaps they are disillusioned with politics, or perhaps they have no interest, or perhaps they are too lazy.

It has not always been the case that everyone over 18 was allowed to vote to choose their leaders. In Ancient Athens, a "citizen" was a man who owned property. In Revolutionary America, a "citizen" was a white man. It was not until the early twentieth century that women gained full suffrage.

How do you see the right to vote? Is it a basic human right to have a say in choosing your leaders? Should everyone over 18 be allowed to vote, or would you restrict it in some way? What about those who choose not to, or do not, vote?

Discuss.

[harry10]

Have voted at every election since I was 18 including council ones. You can't complain about the government if you haven't taken part in the process. The other reason is that in the north we had to fight for our vote so it still seems precious. Next generations may not feel the same.

[Julius Caesar]

It's important to vote as Harry said you can't complain if you don't

[BACMAN36]

I've also voted in every election since I was 18.

Don't forget the many that died to give us that right and also those that died protecting it - I'm including all Allied servicemen during WW2 here as I don't think we'd be voting for Bertie under that other regeime, come to think of it.......

I think it's also useful to note that from the very first elections in the country women had the same right to vote.

In relation to those that don't vote, I think that either they should be fined (I hink they do this down-under) or after 2 or 3 failures to vote your right should be taken away for good.

[doodlebug]

I remember elections in the North where my father didn't have a vote, so the universal suffrage is not that long established. I would echo what Harry said, if you don't vote you have no right to complain about the government as you did nothing to change it. I would die defending peoples right to vote, it is a basic right of democracy and the cornerstone of modern society.

[Doozer]

well ye can all vote again on may 31

cue varadkar scaremongering