Why are young people calling for Votes at 16? Haydn Osborne-Brookes, school student and activist, explains.

History shows the path forward
In 1867, John Stuart Mill led the first ever parliamentary debate on Women’s Suffrage. There was outrage. The all-male 19th century corridors of power argued that there was no way a woman could come to her own logical conclusion as to who she would vote for, and that surely, she would just double her husband’s vote. Today, the same false argument is being applied to discussions around Votes at 16. Opponents of this campaign argue that 16 and 17 year-olds would simply vote how their parents do.
Similarly, on the green benches of 1867, MPs argued that women were too uneducated to vote and were incapable of thinking politically. The same rhetoric is used today concerning 16 and 17 year-olds. Here is why both standpoints are easily proven wrong.
Young people have unprecedented access to news and current affairs
My generation of young people have more access to news and current affairs than any previous generation in large part due to the rise of the internet and social media platforms. Information is more readily available, easier to access and easier to engage with.
Young people are becoming more politically active
Young people’s political protest groups are growing around the world. In October 2024, a group of young Canadians won a landmark climate change lawsuit against the Ontario government. We all know what Fridays for Future is thanks to the political activism of Greta Thunberg and others. Simply put, politics and action is no longer the domain of older generations.
Young people need political representation
Around the world, young people have proved that they are engaged with politics and want change. How then can their voices be heard if politicians do not listen to them because they have no vote?
Make politicians work for young people’s votes
By lowering the voting age to 16, we can give politicians an incentive to speak to, take onboard their views and better represent young people. This must go hand in hand with citizenship education. Future citizenship education must play a crucial role in assisting young people towards making an informed decision. By ensuring we improve our citizenship curriculum to teach students about the nation’s political systems and history, the value of democracy, how to combat and identify disinformation, and why it is so important to vote, we can ensure young people are driven to get voting as soon as possible, and do so responsibly. This also allows continued momentum from learning about voting, directly into voting in national/local elections, ensuring that a voting habit is built as soon as possible.
Increased voter turnout
Allowing young people a decision about their future is not the only benefit from reducing the voting age. By allowing young people the opportunity to form a voting habit sooner, we ensure a higher voter turnout for all future elections, whilst also making sure their opinions are justly heard. High voter turnout is extremely important for a functioning democracy. Votes at 16 is not just a win for young people, it is also a win for our democratic system.
Research shows that the closer someone is to their 18th birthday when they first vote, the more likely they are to turn out (Electoral Reform Society, 2017). By reducing the voting age to 16, we give people the opportunity to vote sooner, thereby increasing voter turnout and democratic engagement, and by making voting a core part of KS5 citizenship education, we can also ensure that the large number of 16 and 17 year-olds in Level 3 education who could gain the right to vote do end up voting.
Votes at 16 has been successful
Votes at 16 is gradually being implemented throughout Europe. Austria has even managed to implement it at all levels.
Austria introduced Votes at 16 in 2007, and the success was instant. In the 2008 Austrian General Election, voter turnout amongst new voters was 88%. According to an AUTNES survey conducted before the 2017 Austrian General Election, 87% of 16 and 17 year-olds were inclined to participate in the election.
This success has been reflected elsewhere too. In fact, it has had great success within our own borders. Votes at 16 has already been implemented in all Scottish and Welsh local elections/referendums. A survey undertaken by ICM showed that 75% of 16 and 17 year-olds voted in the Scottish Referendum (the first election that they were allowed to vote in), compared to 54% of 18–24 year-olds. The youngest voters also voted in larger numbers than the 72% of 25–34 year olds who voted.
Busting the irresponsibility myth
Everyone in the UK, whatever their age, is affected by the laws and policies introduced and passed by parliament. It seems only logical that those affected, whatever their age, should hold some influence over how these policies are made within a democratic system, and within our system it is the right to vote. However, a question which usually arises around this debate is, “Are 16 and 17 year-olds responsible enough to vote?” When 16 year-olds are allowed to join the army and fight for the nation they should be able to vote for the government that sends them into combat to war.
Balance the age scales – support young people’s right to vote
The rapid ageing of our country means that older people are living longer lives. Their voting power is much higher than young people’s because there are not only more older people alive today but that they are more likely to vote than other age groups.
Giving 16 and 17 year-olds the franchise to vote would rebalance the age scales and give all generations a more equitable share of the vote.
While progress is being made, we need your help to call on our national government to follow Scotland and institute Votes@16. So, why not write to your MP and call on them to support the cause? It is time that 16 and 17 year-olds have a voice at the table and help to decide policy for themselves, not have it decided for them. It’s time for Votes at 16.
Image courtesy of: wikimedia: https://flickr.com/people/25834786@N03