It gives young people the opportunity to vote for the first time while they’re still at school and part of a stable community they know and care about.

 

Right now, people can cast their first vote between 18 and 20 years old, often after leaving school, moving cities, or working or studying in a new place. They may feel less connected to their new community or too busy and less motivated to participate in local elections.

 

On top of that, they may have forgotten what they learned in high school about voting, as civics education in Aotearoa generally only goes up to year 10, when most students are around 15 or 16 years-old.

 

Allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote while learning about civics in school would make lessons about elections and democracy more relevant and engaging. Instead of just learning how voting works, young people could put that knowledge into action by casting their first vote while it's still fresh in their minds. This would help build confidence, encourage lifelong voting habits, and create more informed voters for the future.