The National Union of Students (NUS) has welcomed today’s announcement by the UK Government to extend the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds. This is a landmark moment for democracy and a long overdue recognition of young people’s right to have a say in the decisions shaping their lives.
Qasim Hussain, Vice President Further Education at NUS UK, said:
“This is a major victory for young people across the UK, and it has been achieved by the tireless campaigning of generations of 16- and 17-year-olds who missed out on their chance to have a say in major democratic moments in the UK.
“NUS and students have been campaigning to lower the voting age for decades. The young people who have been empowered today pay taxes if they work and are significantly impacted by political decisions on education, the minimum wage, climate and more. They will now have a say on these issues and how their taxes are spent.
“There is still more to do. We urge the government to make it as easy as possible for 16- and 17-year-olds to use their democratic voice, by scrapping voter ID laws, implementing automatic voter registration and promoting political literacy in schools and colleges.
“When politicians make decisions, they look at who is on the electoral register and who votes. At the moment young people are hugely, disproportionately, unheard. So it is crucial that all young people and students are registered to vote. Introducing an automated voter registration system alongside Votes at 16 is an essential step in renewing our democracy and making it work better for young people.
“This announcement will bring England and Northern Ireland in line with Wales and Scotland, where 16- and 17-year-olds can already vote in devolved elections. Passing this law will only be the first step, and we looking forward to working with government, the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders to ensure votes at 16 is implemented in a way that is accessible, inclusive and supported by high-quality political education."
