The case for lowering the voting age to 16
In 2008 the Federal Government invited youth leaders from across the
country to Canberra for the 2020 Youth Summit.
Over two days the delegates discussed a variety of topics – from boosting
innovation and industry to national security – culminating in a youth
communiqué to the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd outlining their vision for 2020
Australia.
When asked about strategies to improve Australia’s Governance and electoral
system, the summit delivered one unified message:
“To build a more participatory 2020, the age at which
people are eligible to vote must be lowered to 16. 16
year olds work, pay income tax, pay GST, and can join
the army. They must be enfranchised so they can have a
say in Government policies that affect them.”
The message is clear: young people want the ability to participate in the
democratic process; more specifically they want the right to vote.
Benefits of a lowered voting age
Lowering the national voting age to 16 will have widespread benefits and flow
on effects to both young people, and those elected to represent them.
Young People
Elected Representatives
Increased understanding of and
engagement with the political process
Better relationships with their young
constituents
More opportunities to voice their
concerns and engage with policy
Greater impetuous to consult with
young people over policy matters
More influence during election cycles
More votes for those who engage
with and represent young voters
Positive life time electoral habits and engagement with the political system
Busting the apathy myth
It is true that young voters have the lowest rate of election participation rate in
the country, with an enrollment rate of around 80% for those aged 18-26.
However, AYACs work with many politically focused youth lead groups – from
the AYCC to the Left-Right Think Tank – has shown that young Australians
are far from apathetic when it comes to the political issues affecting their lives.
The cause of this disparity, between electoral and alternative political
engagement, is that many young people feel disillusioned and distrustful of
the electoral system – believing most candidates do not reflect their interests.
Lowering the the voting to 16 is an important step to re-igniting these young
peoples engagement with the political system – it will also ensure that
candidates take notice of and engage with more young people when running
for office.
Busting the maturity myth
Under law, a typical 17 year-old living in Brisbane is able to:
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Pay income tax
Join the armed forces
Be tried and locked up in an
adult prison
Become a parent
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Fly a plane
Sign a lease
Get a firearms license
Get married
Despite these responsibilities, a typical 17 year-old is still not considered
mature or capable enough to take part in an election.
AYAC challenges that assertion.
Consultations with young people by the Youth Affairs Coalition of the ACT
have shown that an overwhelming majority of young people (75%) believe
that they and their peers have the ability to make complex decisions, like
determining elected officials.
Empirical studies suggest that by the age of 15, young people understand the
principles behind political judgments and their long-term social impact.
Lastly, as mental competency is not taken into account for those over 18,
AYAC believes it is discriminatory to place such tests on young people who
want to exercise their right to participate in the democratic process.
Case Study: 2011 Bremen State Election, Germany
In 2011 the German city-state of Bremen officially lowered its voting age
to 16 in a bid to encourage more young people to the polls.
Prior to this several German states had already opened their local
elections to voters aged 16-17. They found that this group consistently
turned out to vote in higher numbers than those aged 18-24 – 33% vs.
26% in Saxony-Anhelt.
Conclusion
AYAC believes that young people not only have the maturity to make
decisions about who they elect, but are also able to critically engage with the
Australian political system.
We call upon the Australian Government to demonstrate a commitment to
ensuring young people have a meaningful say in Government decision
making by lower the voting age to 16.
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country,
directly or through freely chosen representatives… this shall be expressed
in periodic and genuine elections, which shall be by universal and equal
suffrage.
– Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations