Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) Welcomes UK Proposal to Lower Voting Age to 16
ISSU Statement: Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) welcomes the UK government's proposal to expand voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds.
The Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU) has been a consistent voice for lowering the voting age to 16 since its foundation in 2008 and welcomes the UK government's proposal to expand the voting age to 16 and 17-year-olds.
ISSU is a firm advocate for encouraging young people to be active citizens and participants in democracy and believes that lowering the voting age to 16 is a move that supports these ideals.
“It’s amazing to see more governments recognise the importance of allowing young people the ability to make their voices heard in the polls. Much like in Ireland, the youth in the United Kingdom work, pay taxes and can even join the armed forces. We urge our own government to follow on from this and work towards extending voting rights to those aged 16 and 17. In a world where the future is becoming increasingly uncertain, it is imperative that we have a say in the government that will shape our lives for years to come.”
“The recent development in the United Kingdom is a showcase of a modern government adapting to a modern world. It demonstrates a willingness to trust young people with the power to shape their future. This progressive step should inspire our own leaders to consider a similar decision. I urge our government to follow the example set by our closest neighbour and work to ensure that young people are adequately represented in our voting laws.”
ISSU recognises that this proposal is not without controversy but believes that allowing younger people the opportunity to vote will increase civic engagement among this cohort. This is supported by evidence from countries such as Scotland and Austria, which had higher voter turnouts among the 16 -17 age bracket as opposed to the 18 - 24 age bracket after lowering their voting age (European Youth Forum). https://www.youthforum.org/topics/lower-the-voting-age
