This is a dismal figure that could be changed if the government took the initiative and lowered the legal voting age to 16. You may ask how extending the vote will change this figure. By offering the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds, it would send them the message that their opinions are valued by government and society in general.
Introducing the vote in isolation would not alone result in a huge turnout at the polling stations. But coupling the initiative with a scheme to educate young people on modern democracy could result in more young people exercising their right to vote.
It has been argued by those who are against lowering the voting age that young people aren't interested in politics. The majority of young people might seem to be disinterested but this is mainly due to a failure to encourage them to feel involved. If young people are made to feel that their views are valid and that they are entitled to have an opinion, they will respond.
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