Reintroducing a bill to lower the voter age in British Columbia to 16
Today in the BC Legislature I reintroduced a bill that would lower the voter age in British Columbia to 16. This is the third time I’ve introduced this bill. I’ve provided a detailed rationale for it here, here and here, and expanded upon it further in a Vancouver Sun article that was published today.
Below I reproduce the video and text of my introduction of the bill, as well as the media statement that we released.
Video of Introduction
Text of Introduction
A. Weaver: It gives me great pleasure to introduce a bill that, if enacted, would lower the voting age to 16 in British Columbia.
The voting age in British Columbia was not always 18. Federally, it wasn’t until 1970 that the Canada Elections Act was amended to drop the voting age from 21 to 18. In British Columbia we made the jump in two steps. First, in 1952 we dropped the voting age from 21 to 19, but it wasn’t until 1992 that we made the subsequent change to lower the age to 18.
Around the world, more and more jurisdictions are openly discussing the notion of dropping the voting age to 16, and, in fact, a growing number have actually done so. Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Scotland are but a few of the jurisdictions that have extended voting rights to 16-year-olds.
There’s ample evidence to suggest that the earlier in life a voter casts their first ballot, the more likely they are to develop voting as a habit throughout their lifetime.
Sadly, in the 2017 election, only 56 percent of youth aged 18-24 and only 46 percent of young adults aged 25-34 voted here in British Columbia. Compare that to the provincial average of 61 percent and to the 75 percent of seniors aged 65-74 who voted.
It’s also a common misconception that 16-years-old are not as informed and engaged in political issues as older voters. The research, however, says otherwise.
Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are old enough to drive, pay taxes, get married and sign up for the military. They should have a say in the direction our province is heading as they ultimately inherit what we leave behind.
Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill.
Motion approved.
A. Weaver: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.
Bill M205, Election Amendment Act, 2018, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.
Media Release
Weaver re-introduces bill to extend voting rights to 16 and 17-year olds
For immediate release
March 13, 2018
VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, introduced a Private Member’s bill to lower the voting age to 16 in B.C. This is the third time Weaver has introduced the bill.
“Young British Columbians have the greatest stake in the future of our province; they should have a say in the decisions our politicians make,” said Weaver.
“Yesterday, Elections B.C. announced that only 56.24% of 18-24 year olds and 46.35% of 25-35 year olds voted in our last provincial election. Voting rights have been extended to 16 year-olds in Scotland, Argentina, Austria and Brazil. Evidence from those jurisdictions shows that enfranchising these young voters has led to substantially higher levels of political participation.
“Moreover, research shows that the cognitive skills required to make calm, logically informed decisions are firmly in place by age 16. Young citizens of British Columbia are old enough to drive, pay taxes and sign up for the military. They are also the leaders of tomorrow. They should have a say in the direction we are heading, as they will inherit what we leave behind. B.C. should take this chance to strengthen our democracy and lower the voting age to 16.”
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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca
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9 Comments
I am sorry to respectfully disagree Dr. Weaver.
Sixteen year old kids are not allowed to drink, smoke, drive by themselves or get married precisely because they are not yet ready to be burdened with full responsibility for their actions. And that is ok. They are kids!
Allowing them to decide who should lead our community when they are still not full members makes no sense to me. Lets first help them grow so they can successfully join us as equals in privileges (drinking, smoking, driving, marrying, etc.) and responsibilities (earning a living, paying taxes, etc.) before we ask them to tell us who should make our laws.
I voted for you in the past election. Unfortunately, this is the last straw. I will not vote for you again.
In grade 11 I learnt that voting research shows if someone doesn’t vote at the first vote that they are eligible to vote at they are less likely to ever vote. I don’t think 16 year olds are likely to vote at their first opportunity. This is a bad idea.
In fact, the argument is exactly the opposite as when they are 16 they are typically living at home and in school taking Socials 11. It is very relevant to them. Right now, it cant get much worse on voter turnout.
Matthew Grace,
1) Hav you read any peer reviewed research on the topic? Because the research that has been done actually states the exact opposite of what you suggesting is true, so are your comments based on fact orjust the fact or is just your “opinion”?
2). Do you have kids or do you have regular interactions/experience in dealing with young adults of that age? As a high school science teacher, that teaches only grades 10-12 (15-18 years olds) I find that students care more deeply than any adult I have come across. Since they are not yet jaded by the “real world” and don’t have the burden of “paying bills” hanging over their heads, students really have nothing to lose, and as a result will often do what is right regardless of the consequences. The arguments students make for or against an issue are well reasoned, thought out and supported vs what most adults do, which is give an ill-informed, bias, un-supported or un-founded opinion, such as you have, while trying to pass if off as fact. If you question a student about their position they can have an intellectual discussion on the topic where as most adults will say “it’s my opinion and I’m entitled to it”. We should absolutely be allowing these young adults to vote, our province and democracy will be strong for it.
Mr. Weaver,
I disagree with you position on having the voting age reduced to 16 years of age. While I agree with you that one a person votes in an election, there is a greater chance that they will become long term voters. What I don’t believe is that at age 16 that they will be knowledgeable and independent thinkers. I believe that 16 year olds are to impressionable and easily led. I know that you believe strongly in the Democratic process and therefore you should recognize that the wrong majority of people, as demonstrated by the CHEK News poll, do not support having the voting age reduced. I hope that you will recognize the will of the people and not peruse this idea any further at this time.
Cliff Thesrn
Cliff Thesen,
1) Hav you read any peer reviewed research on the topic? Because the research, that has been done, actually states the exact opposite of what you suggesting is true, so are your comments based on fact or just your “expert opinion”?
2). Do you have kids or do you have regular interactions/experience in dealing with young adults of that age, outside a parent-child dynamic? As a high school science teacher, that teaches only grades 10-12 (15-18 years olds) I find that students care more deeply about important issues than any adult I have ever met. Students are not yet jaded by the “real world” and don’t have the burden of “paying bills” hanging over their heads; students really have nothing to lose, and as a result will often do what is right regardless of the consequences. The arguments students make for or against an issue are well reasoned, thought out and supported, which stands in direct contrast to the approach the majority of adults take which is to give an ill-informed, bias, un-supported or un-founded opinions, such as you have, while trying to pass them off as fact. If you question a student about their position they can have an intellectual discussion on the topic, where as most adults will say “it’s my opinion and I’m entitled to it” and that the end of the discussion. We should absolutely be allowing these young adults to vote, our province and democracy will be stronger for it.
My daughter and I watched some of the debates in the last federal election. She was 18 years old at the time, but no stranger to political discussion. She claimed most of her girlfriends didn’t care much about politics and were voting for Trudeau because he was cute.
I don’t think lowering the voting age is a good idea.
I understand that a lot or people voted for him for that reason. I would argue that many of them were much older than 18.
Not entirely unreasonable. Political maturation is rapid in young adulthood and there are big changes from 16-18. I’m curious why lowering to 17 is not even considered here. Am I missing something?
Also: “It’s also a common misconception that 16-years-old are not as informed and engaged in political issues as older voters. The research, however, says otherwise.”
This would imply that the research confirms the conception that 16-year-olds are not as informed and engaged.