NEWS RELEASE
Monday 4th October 2004
Lower Voting Age will Increase Parliament's Relevance - STUC The STUC are calling on the Scottish Parliament to lower the voting age to 16 to improve political engagement. The Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee will tomorrow (Tuesday 5th October) hear views from the Electoral Commission and the Scottish Executive on the STUC's petition lodged last year
STUC Assistant Secretary John Park said:
"Lowering the voting age is a radical way to build citizenship and would undoubtedly boost long-term engagement in the democratic process."
It is within the Parliament's powers to change the voting age in Local Government Elections - a measure that would lead the way for change in other elections.
"A innovative move such as this would capture the imagination of young Scottish people and increase the relevance of the parliament for a new generation."
For further information contact:
John Park STUC Assistant Secretary
Tel: 0141 337 8100 / Fax: 0141 337 8101 www.stuc.org.uk
Notes for Editors:
The Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee will hear evidence tomorrow at 10.00am from the Scottish Executive and the Electoral Commission on the STUC's petition.
Having a period where a young person's responsibility and rights have significantly risen (at the age of 16) but in which they are unable to vote is likely to be detrimental towards their view of the democratic process and therefore their active involvement. This sets a precedent for future life and is likely to dissuade them from later involvement in the electoral process.
There have been recent initiatives in Germany relating to reduction to 16 in local elections. The first pilot was held in Hanover, and the result was that more people in the 16-18 age group voted than those in the 18-24 age group. The Germans are now extending the pilot to other areas following its success.
General elections are still the elections with the greatest turnouts. Having a voting age of 18 means that some people do not get to vote in a General election until they are 22 or even 23.