Votes for 16 year olds

Summary

While Bristol has an active youth council and 16 and 17 year olds across the city hold many responsibilities in society, they do not have a chance to influence key decisions which will define their future. Extending votes for 16 year olds will provide 16 and 17 year olds with the chance to be involved in democracy, resulting in even younger engagement, and ensure youth issues are represented. This will follow the precedent set by the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act, May 2016, which allows 16 and 17 year olds to vote in Scottish Parliament elections and local government elections. In Bristol, this would mean asking for the devolved responsibility to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in local elections.