Motion proposed to lower voting age to 16
Local Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon will propose a motion in the Assembly on the 6th November calling for the voting age to be lowered to 16.
Speaking to Newry Times, Ms. Fearon said,
“I will be proposing the motion to lower the voting age to 16 in conjunction with the Green Party on the 6th November. I am keen to ensure that young people are given a greater say in our decision making process.
“The argument that older people know what is best for young people and will vote accordingly was used by men to deny women the vote in the 1900’s. It is as wrong now as it was then.
She added, “At the minute, there are many issues coming through the assembly which relate specifically to people within this age bracket, for example, the future of EMA; yet many of the people that this decision will impact most on have been denied the opportunity to take part in a democratic process to elect decision makers.
“Young people are best placed to advise and inform decisions which directly affect them; a vote is one of the best ways for anyone to influence what happens locally and nationally. I am in favour of lowering the voting age to 16 so that young people can have a direct influence on who is elected to make these decisions.”
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=24383
Posted by Newry Times News
on Oct 27 2012. Filed under Politics.
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