NUS believes that a reduction in the voting age to 16 is long overdue and we are campaigning for the Government to recognise this and implement a change.
Now it's time for us to make this happen. Join our campaign and show your support for Votes at 16.
What is the purpose of the campaign?
This campaign is all about empowering students to use their citizen power where it exists and assert their claims to that power were it doesn’t. Politicians don’t listen to students, they think we don’t vote and so don’t create policies for us.
16 and 17 year olds have less citizen rights than most students.
As many as 22% students are missing from the electoral register, when you consider that there are about 7 million students in the UK, students could make up 15% of all voters. If students use their vote we can be a group that politicians must reckon with.
Why does this matter?
Over 1.5 million 16 and 17 year olds are denied the vote in the United Kingdom. For years there has been a consistent demand from young people for Votes at 16, and a clear case for change.
At 16 we can leave school, start full time employment, get married or a civil partnership and join the armed forces. As of 16 we are also subject to taxation, however we have no say over how this is spent.
We're all interested in issues; from climate change to racism, from education to crime. Voting is the fundamental way that we have our say on issues, and we think that at 16, young people are mature enough to be properly listened to.
Stopping 16 and 17 year olds from voting and having the chance to be heard sends a signal to them and to society, especially politicians, that our views aren't valid and that we aren't real citizens. At a time when people feel that politics isn't relevant to them, young people need to be encouraged to take part in democracy, not kept out from it.
Easy actions you can do
It's time we gave young people the basic right of any citizen - the right to vote. Make sure you voice is heard and help our campaign:
Sign up as a supporter of Votes at 16
Write to your local MP
It's time we recognised the abilities of 16 year olds, including them in society and showing them the trust and respect that society expects of them.