Electoral Reform Society: Time to take the next step in youth citizenship

Wednesday, 21 January 2009 12:00 AM

The Electoral Reform Society has called for the voting age to be lowered to 16 as the next logical step in strengthening young people's understanding of citizenship.

In its submission to the Youth Citizenship Commission's consultation on the voting age, the Society has argued that the gap between learning and doing has the effect of separating voting from all the work to promote and develop citizenship among young people, undermining the link between citizenship and voting.

Ken Ritchie, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society said

"Lowering the voting age and improving citizenship education are not mutually exclusive. 16 and 17 year olds are the first generation to have ever studied democracy and citizenship, and their demand for more information should be seen as a positive thing.

"But a real gap has emerged between learning and putting that education into practice. We can't risk separating voting off from all the work that has been done over the years to promote and develop citizenship among young people.

"Lowering the voting age to 16 would reflect and support citizenship education and youth participation programmes, linking the formal democratic process to their understanding of citizenship"

"Old enough to make a mark?" The ERS Response to the YCC's consultation on the voting age is available for download here...

ENDS
Notes to Editors:

* The Electoral Reform Society is a national membership organisation and one of the UK's leading authorities on democracy and elections. It conducts research into elections and democratic processes, and campaigns for a change to the voting system.
* The Youth Citizenship Commission is headed by Prof. Jonathan Tonge of Liverpool University, and was launched by the Government to deliver Gordon Brown's pledge to investigate the case for lowering the voting age. As well as leading the consultation on the voting age it is examining ways of developing young people's understanding of citizenship and increasing their participation in politics. www.ycc.uk.net
* The Electoral Reform Society is a founding member of the Votes at 16 Coalition, made up of over 40 leading youth and democracy organisation to campaign for the lowering of the voting age to 16 for all UK public elections. www.votesat16.org.uk

For further information, contact:
The Electoral Reform Society on 020 7202 8602 or Ken Ritchie on 07754 165551

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