You can get married; pay taxes; have a job; leave school; consent to medical treatment; and start a family at age 16 but you can not vote.

We believe that young people have a part to play and should not be excluded from democracy.

The NIYF have been campaigning on this issue for around 8 years and have seen little progress despite securing NI Assembly backing following their debate of 6th November 2012, where the majority voted in favour.

The Secretary of State for NI has stated that there are no plans to lower the voting age at this time. Turnouts at the Scottish referendum and the most recent General Election showed young people’s desire to engage in elections.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recently recommended that consultations should be carried out with children on the voting age in each of the devolved administrations of the UK.

We believe that the time is right to lower the voting age to 16. Lets change how politics works for the better. Lets give more people a say.

Please support our campaign.