Media Statement
21 June 2007

Board Member Supports Call for Lower Voting Age of 16

Yani Johanson, community board member for the Hagley/Ferrymead Ward, has supported calls by Sue Bradford of the Greens for the voting age to be lowered to 16 years of age.

Mr Johanson says that it should be also done in response to poor turnout of young voters in the recent local body elections. According to an independent Christchurch City Council commissioned report voter turnout for the 18-24 age group was just 6.4%.

Mr Johanson believes that lowering the age to 16 will enable better education and participation of young people in the political process. This is because it gives more opportunity to provide information and awareness through the school system that is relevant to young people.

Mr Johanson also believes that by reducing the age, younger people will form voting habits from an earlier age and hence be more likely to vote. This is consistent with the Council's independent report that states "Habit, Duty, Right" (see attachment 1- table 4) as being the primary reason why people vote in local body elections.

Yani Johanson, Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board member:

"The best way of increasing voter turnout is to lower the voter age. This enables young people to start building habits of voter participation from an earlier age. It also provides the opportunity to express their views and concerns through the ballot box. It is deeply ironic a 16 year old can legally have sex and produce a child but yet be excluded from voting as to what sort of society that child should grow up in."

"There are many relevant local body issues for young people today- drag racing, lack of underage venues, safety, public transport and so on. But because young people cannot vote, their concerns and voices are often ignored or brushed aside. A voting age of 16 would make politicians more accountable to the needs of young people and that can only be a good thing."

ENDS

© Scoop Media