You may have seen the article on our Website about lowering the age of voting to 16. At the moment you have to be 18 to be able to vote, and 21 to stand for election. Under plans unveiled last week (28th January) by Elections Minister Christopher Leslie, the age at which people can stand for election will now be reduced from 21 to 18.
The independent Electoral Commission recommended reducing the age of candidacy to 18 following publication of its report Age of Electoral Majority. According to Christopher Leslie, at 18, if you are old enough to vote, you are old enough to be voted for. He also thinks that the right to participate fully in elections from the age of eighteen will encourage young people to learn more about the democratic process and use their right to vote.
However, the minimum voting age will remain at 18. This also follows recommendations from the independent Electoral Commission, although the government is keeping the issue under review.
What do you think? Do you think it's a good thing to lower the age at which people can stand for election? Do you think that the government should take it even further and let us vote at 16? Do you believe that the government care about our opinions? Head over to the Messageboard now and have your say.
For more information, have a look at the section in our Website about Votes at 16, or go to the Votes at 16 Campaign Site
