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The bill to lower the voting age
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The bill to lower the voting age
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Here's the story all about how our bill got flipped-turned upside down
Introducing the bill
November, 2022
On 21 November 2022 the current Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, held a press conference and announced the government would draft a bill to lower the voting age. It was a huge moment and a major signal that our Supreme Court win had created real political momentum.
But drafting a bill was not immediate. Turning an idea into legislation takes time. Specialist parliamentary drafters had to work through complex questions, including whether the bill should cover both general and local elections or focus only on local elections, and how changes would interact with other laws linked to the Electoral Act 1993. There were many legal and practical details to work through before a bill could be introduced.
After several months, the official bill was finally introduced to Parliament. It was called the... Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Amendment Bill✨
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Why did the bill focus only on local elections?
It was originally assumed that the bill would lower the voting age for all elections. However, during the drafting process, its scope was narrowed to local elections. This was seen as a more achievable first step.
The voting age for general elections is part of an “entrenched” law, which means it can only be changed with 75% of Members of Parliament voting in favour, or if the public approves it through a referendum. By contrast, lowering the voting age for local elections only needs a simple majority in Parliament, just over half of MPs.
Because it is rare to get 75% agreement across political parties, the government focused on local elections first.
The idea was to prove votes at 16 could work in practice, then build momentum for lowering the voting age for general elections later.
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First reading
August, 2023
In August 2023, the Bill passed its first reading in Parliament, meaning MPs agreed it should be considered further. This was an exciting moment, as it marked the first time politicians were formally debating lowering the voting age as part of a Bill. Members and supporters of Make It 16 travelled from across the country to be there and witness it in the gallery.
However, this happened in the final sitting week before Parliament was dissolved for the general election. When we arrived, there were only a small number of MPs in the House, and limited time was given to debating the Bill. After years of campaigning, it felt underwhelming. This was a significant moment in history, yet it did not receive the attention or seriousness it deserved.
It was disheartening to see how long it had taken to reach this stage, only for the debate to be pushed to the government’s final week in power. Compared to the relatively quick response following the declaration of inconsistency on the prisoner voter rights Bill, this part of the process felt delayed and deprioritised.
Despite this, it was still a positive step. The Bill passing its first reading meant it could move forward to the next stage of the process, the select committee, where the public would have the opportunity to make submissions and be heard.
Want to watch the debate?
Head to Parliament TV OnDemand.
You will need to set the search specifically to 23, August 2023. Page 4.
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Select Committee
September, 2023
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In September 2023 the Bill was referred to the Justice Select Committee, opening the public submissions process. This is where individuals and organisations can share their views and influence potential changes to the law.
Make It 16 launched a nationwide submissions campaign, encouraging rangatahi, educators, researchers, and supporters to have their say. Hundreds of submissions were prepared and sent in, (with over 700 made through our website alone!) representing a wide range of lived experiences and evidence in support of lowering the voting age.
None of these were ever read and we never had the chance to make an oral submission.
2023 General Election
A change of government
In late 2023, following the general election, a new coalition government was formed.
This marked a significant shift in political priorities and created uncertainty around the future of the Bill.
While the process had been underway, its continuation now depended on the new government’s support.
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Bill blocked
February, 2024
In early 2024, the government instructed the Select Committee to stop considering the Bill. This meant the process was halted before submissions were meaningfully considered, and the Bill did not progress any further.
Despite the significant public engagement, including hundreds of submissions, none were read. The Bill was effectively removed from the legislative agenda, leaving the voting age unchanged. This happened through a constitutionally inappropriate process, where the Government (Executive) directed Parliament to stop considering the Bill instead of allowing the Select Committee to do its job.
This was deeply disappointing. After years of campaigning, legal action, and mobilising people across the country to engage in the democratic process, it felt like the door had been shut before we were even heard.
What we learned
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Many of us were left reflecting on what more we could have done. We questioned whether we should have pushed harder, whether we could have done something differently, and if that might have changed the outcome.
At the same time, we came to an uncomfortable realisation: we should not have had to do more just to be taken seriously.
It revealed something bigger about the system itself. We were facing a government more unsupportive of youth voices, and less willing to engage meaningfully with constitutional processes, than we had realised.
Despite the many submissions from young people and the wider public, none were ever read. Not a single one. All those stories from young people, on why they wanted to have a voice, were completely igrnored. It was a stark reminder that the voices of rangatahi are still sidelined, and that youth perspectives remain unheard and underrepresented in our democratic process.
What now?
We continue to fight!
A new generation of young people have joined the movement, ready to continue the fight for a fairer, more inclusive democracy.
The campaign is growing again and the call remains the same: Let us vote!
Our plan is to build visible public support, create political pressure leading into the election, and grow local action across the country.
Interested in joining us?
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Confused about any of the terms and processes from above? Here's some explainers:
A bill goes through several stages in Parliament. First, MPs vote on whether it should be considered at all. This is called the first reading.
Then it goes to a select committee, where the public can give feedback by sending in written submissions or making oral submissions.
After that, MPs debate it in more detail and vote again (second reading), then go through it line by line (committee of the whole House), and finally vote one last time (third reading). If it passes all these stages, it becomes law.
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