Votes at 16 : Empowering Young People and Revitalising Democracy in Britain

Votes at 16 weaves together arguments and evidence to present a compelling case in favour of lowering the voting age in Britain to 16. By setting out the key reasons why the voting age should be reduced for all elections, this book powerfully refutes the arguments advanced by opponents of reform to the electoral franchise. Situating votes at 16 in its historical context in Britain, it offers an overview of voting age reform over time and examines the rise of this issue over the last 20 years. It analyses evidence on the introduction of votes at 16 in six countries and argues that this demonstrates 16- and 17-year-olds possess the knowledge and skills to vote. The book also sets out how citizenship education can be enhanced to support the introduction of votes at 16.