A photo of Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister. Like the outgoing U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the prime minister supports lowering the voting age to 16. With current events playing out across the world with regards to lowering the voting age, the U.S. just might be next to make it happen! (photo courtesy of Oliver Contreras of UPI news)
As the United states closes out another year without a lowered federal voting age to 16, two global beacons of hope are keeping the torch lit as well as continuing to give momentum to the movement worldwide.
Terry Reintke, a Member of the European Parliament(MEP) and President of the Greens–European Free Alliance(Greens/EFA), announced the German Parliament’s move to lower the voting age for European elections to 16 early last month via Twitter. The move comes after several German political parties have supported the idea in recent years, which I’ve covered previously in a blog post from the summer.
The movement to lower the voting age as well as expand democratic voices isn’t only limited to Europe, but allies in Oceania, the area of New Zealand, Australia & Tasmania, are also making extraordinary gains as well.
The supreme court in New Zealand has recently made a supportive decision by ruling that its current minimum voting age discriminates against 16 year-olds. This landmark achievement would have only been possible thanks to the efforts of the Make it 16 Campaign of New Zealand, so if you’re part of the movement and reading this, this post is dedicated to your efforts. My and other allies’ hats are off to you for this!
For those of us in the U.S., but also active supporters in Europe, Oceania and everywhere else around the world, we have momentum going into 2023 to help our respective movements achieve more to help give a platform and amplify young voices. Keep up the pressure by recommitting your efforts to give those who don’t yet have a voice and continue to work together with allies no matter where we’re located. Together, we can achieve great things!
Jester Jersey
@16ToVoteProject
#16ToVoteAdvocacyProject 