Votes at 16
From 2014-2015, I served as Advisor to the European Youth Forum on Votes at 16. Since then, I have been writing theory, conducting research and contributing to policy debates on Votes at 16.
I have spoken as expert on Votes at 16 and young people's political participation to the European Parliament and the Scottish Parliament, and I was part of an international submission of evidence on Votes at 16 in Australia.
Publications:
By Benjamin Bowman (2021)
The debate over reform to the voting age at Westminster elections is dominated by a concept of young people as deficient and disengaged citizens. In the contemporary context of young civic action, new approaches to the civic can support a regeneration of the vote in young people’s expanded political toolbox. A conceptual approach to the debate on voting reform is presented alongside a critical appraisal of the opportunities available, to all sides of the debate, to contribute to young political regeneration.
Votes at 16: Submission to the Inquiry into the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021, by the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety Committee in the Legislative Assembly, Australian Capital Territory
Submitted as an international team: Bessant et al. 2022
There is considerable rigorous social science research attesting to the value of expanding the suffrage to younger people. Lowering the voting age to 16 years, extends basic citizenship, democratic and human rights to more young people. Reducing the voting age will better align official rhetoric about the value of fostering an inclusive society by promoting youth participation and acknowledging the right to be heard in all matters affecting their lives.