The Yukon’s Special Committee on Electoral Reform is exploring a wide variety of changes… including a lower voting age!

At 16 years old,  legal self-autonomy laws and rights have some significant changes such as being able to work without needing parental consent and paying work-related taxes, legally having the choice of leaving school and home, entitlement to consent to own medical treatment and sex as well as having the opportunity to acquire a driver’s licence giving them the responsibility of keeping themselves and others safe on the road. 16-year-olds’ responsibilities for self and contributing to society should have the same rights and privileges as others with whom they share the same duties. They are intellectually equipped to consider the consequences of their actions and those of society. They deal with the systemic effects of family and community dysfunction and they worry and care about their future. They deserve to have a say in the laws that affect them. They deserve a vote. Help them move from powerlessness to empowerment. They are old enough!

Sam Hersh, youth activist and past Fair Vote Canada board member says: "Multiple studies around the world have shown that lowering the voting age creates lifelong voting habits in citizens which would lead to increased turnouts in the future. Not only this but voting can lead to actually getting informed and getting involved in politics."  (Fair Vote Canada)

On September 7th, there will be a community public hearing in Whitehorse to present opinions to the Yukon’s Special Committee on Electoral Reform, to learn more, go to its website yukonassembly.ca/committees/special-and-select-committees/special-committee-electoral-reform

To learn more about Vote16 Yukon, go to our website www.vote16.ca/yukon

To learn more about the national campaign of Vote16 Canada, go to its website www.vote16.ca/

To learn more about Fair Vote Canada, go to its website www.fairvote.ca/