MINISTER FOR EDUCATION Norma Foley has said that lowering the voting age to 16 is a “discussion worth having”.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Foley added: “I think it’s no harm in having discussions around how we can empower young people.”

Asked about how she would justify giving 16-year-olds influence in national politics when they cannot legally purchase cigarettes or alcohol, Foley said that a conversation on empowering young people does not “rest and fall with the vote”.

Other EU countries already have a lower voting age, with Belgium and Germany joining Austria, Greece and Malta in allowing sixteen-year-olds to cast their vote in the upcoming European Elections.

So today we’re asking: Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Poll Results:

No (9175)

Yes (1370)

Unsure (241)

Yes
No
Unsure

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Poll: Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

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