Excluding young people from voting, especially when they’re fully capable of understanding how our political system works and the ideas behind it, makes them feel overlooked and unheard.

 

This can lead to disinterest in our government and elections and lower participation over time. Low voter turnout and civic engagement is already a growing issue in Aotearoa. Lowering the voting age gives young people a real voice in decisions that affect them, helping build lifelong engagement in our democracy.