Kildare TD bids to reduce voting age to 16

A Kildare TD wants to cut the legal voting age from 18 to 16.

Social Democrats TD, Aidan Farrelly plans to introduce the Reduction of the Voting Age to Sixteen Years Bill 2025, to provide a legislative pathway for the reduction of the age at which a person may vote in Ireland.

Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s spokesperson for children, equality and youth, said: “People aged 16 and 17 are as civically informed as their peers aged over 18, but are unjustly restricted when it comes to democratic participation.

“If one can work full time and pay taxes, it is only fair to afford that person with the formal opportunity to influence how these taxes are spent, locally and nationally. One of the recommendations to come out of the 2012-2014 Convention on the Constitution was to reduce the voting age to 16.

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“The last government was to consider reducing this change in time for the Local and European Elections in 2024, but failed to do so – this bill seeks to facilitate this process in time for this year’s presidential election.

“Some of our nearest neighbours have voting ages of 16 – in Scotland, 16-year-olds had the option to vote in their referendum for independence in 2014, while in Wales, 16-year-olds have the opportunity to vote in elections for the Welsh Parliament.

“Our youth should be able to participate in our democratic processes, the outcomes of which will affect their lives as much as anyone else’s, and more than some.

“Like the 35-40% of people aged over 18 who choose not to vote, many aged 16 and 17, if afforded the opportunity, will also choose not to.

“However, we should focus on who will – the many thousands who care about their communities and their society, who are as passionate about politics, public administration and civic duty as their older peers.

“The Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years Bill 2025 is an opportunity to tell the 16 and 17 year olds of Ireland that they and their voices are valued, that they’re trusted, that their insight is needed for the future of this country.

“Deciding the appropriate age to vote is an issue of fairness, not competence; of equality, not maturity.

“This bill is my first as a TD, and one of inherent importance to me as a citizen of Ireland, a youth worker, and a father.”