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Live: Convention holds ballot on voting age and presidential term

The gathering of 100 delegates has been considering whether to lower the voting age to 17 and reduce the presidential term of office to five years.

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THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION will hold a ballot this morning to determine its position on lowering the voting to 17 and reducing the presidential term of office from seven to five years.

Delegates will meet at the Grand Hotel in Malahide, north Dublin this morning having yesterday held discussions on the two issues hearing arguments for and against lowering the voting age and cutting the presidential term, aligning it with local and European elections.

“We heard some robust and thoughtful opinions today. There was great engagement from the delegates with people offering differing points of view and perspectives,” convention chair, Tom Arnold, said.

A vote will be held today with the results of the ballot available at midday.

There are seven more issues for the convention to consider with the government committing to respond to its recommendations within four months.

This will be done by way of debates in the Oireachtas and, where it agrees with a particular recommendation to amend the Constitution, to include a time frame for a referendum to be held.

Poll: Should the Presidential term of office be shortened to five years?

Poll: Should the voting age be lowered to 17?

Column: What kind of Constitutional Convention do you want?

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