AMs to debate lowering the voting age to 16

27 June 2012

Assembly Members will debate lowering the voting age to 16 in the latest Individual Members’ Debate to the held at the National Assembly for Wales on Wednesday 4 July.

The motion, put forward by Julie Morgan AM, Aled Roberts AM, Bethan Jenkins AM and Paul Davies AM, proposes that the National Assembly for Wales “supports lowering the voting age to 16 years in all elections and referendums held in Wales.”

Cardiff North AM, Julie Morgan said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to move the debate forward in Wales on Votes at 16.

“It is important for democracy that all parts of society have a voice and are fully represented.

“I firmly believe that lowering the voting age would help engage our young people in the decisions that affect their lives. It should also set a pattern for greater participation in elections later in life.”

The motion has been put forward with cross-party support and was selected for debate by the Business Committee. Individual Member Debates gives Members a way of raising important issues of relevance to their constituents and to bring them to the attention of the National Assembly. This is the sixth such debate to take place since the introduction of this opportunity in autumn 2011.