Calls to reduce voting age to 16

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union are reiterating their call for the Government to lower the voting age in all General, Local, Presidential and European elections and Referendums from 18 to 16 years of age. 

This call comes a week before ISSU is due to launch its general election manifesto.

The ISSU is also calling for the inclusion of informed and adequate civic education in all levels of second-level education to ensure that students are informed about how voting and their political systems work.

Speaking ahead of the launch, ISSU Leas-Uachtarán, Máirín Harding, says “in a world where sixteen-year-olds have the right and responsibility to pay taxes, they are permitted to leave full-time education and theoretically be bearing the same responsibilities as any other individual above the age of eighteen, it is only right that they can exercise their vote too. However, for the majority of sixteen year olds in this country, they are in an education system where civic and voting education is not reflected in the curriculum.”

“We must change that in order to create meaningful change. It is not a matter of granting sixteen year olds the right to vote and that’s that, we need education about voting and active citizenship available for young people in education from the very beginning of their second-level education.”

ISSU Oifigeach Idirnaisunta, Preston Ó Caoímh, adds “we as young people for the past few years have proven time and time again the power of our voice and our opinion.”

“Never before in Ireland have we seen so many young people stand up and take action for what they believe is right with participation in youth organisations skyrocketing to nearly 400,000 young people taking part in organisations across the country. It is about time that the government understands the importance of Ireland’s youth and follows in the footsteps of other countries such as Austria, Scotland and Wales by lowering the voting age to sixteen.”

“We work, we pay taxes and we will be the people who inherit this country. It is only fair that we be truly recognised by our elected officials and be able to provide input into decisions that will directly affect us as students, as people and as future leaders. It is also imperative that students are given the opportunity in school to learn how voting works and how to make real change which is why civic education must be introduced into all second-level schools allowing students to truly understand the value of their vote and democracy. By lowering the voting age and implementing proper civic education we can empower a new generation to engage fully in shaping the future of our nation. The time to act is now.”