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Teen Vote Rejected in Britain, U.S. and Canada
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A proposal to allow people aged 16 and 17 to take part in elections is rejected by most people in three countries, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 55 per cent of respondents in Britain oppose lowering the voting age in general and European elections, and 49 per cent feel the same way about regional elections.
In the United States, at least 66 per cent of respondents oppose allowing 16 and 17 year olds to take part in presidential, congressional, state and municipal elections.
In Canada, at least 65 per cent of respondents disagree with lowering the voting age for federal, provincial and municipal elections.
In 2006, the Isle of Man—a British crown dependency located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland—allowed people aged 16 and 17 to take part in the election to the legislative House of Keys. In 2007, Austria’s National Council approved a proposal to lower the voting age in Austria to 16 years.
The Electoral Reform Society—a Britain-based campaign group—has called for the voting age to be lowered to 16 years. In its website, the group states: "Sixteen and 17 year olds are interested in all kinds of issues; are often more enthusiastic and active than older people; and with citizenship education, youth engagement campaigns, 24-hour news and high-speed interactive media they are the most politically aware and educated generation ever. Denying them the vote sends a message to them—and to society as a whole—that their views are not valid, and that voting is not the way to express their opinions."
Polling Data
Britain - Thinking now about elections, do you support or oppose each of the following proposals?
|
Support |
Oppose |
Not sure |
|
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in General Elections (House of Commons) |
39% |
55% |
7% |
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in Regional Elections (Mayors, County Councils) |
45% |
49% |
6% |
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in European Elections (European Parliament) |
37% |
55% |
8% |
United States - Thinking now about elections, do you support or oppose each of the following proposals?
|
Support |
Oppose |
Not sure |
|
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in Presidential Elections |
27% |
69% |
4% |
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in Congressional Elections (Senate, House of Representatives) |
26% |
69% |
5% |
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in State Elections (Governor, State Legislature) |
27% |
69% |
5% |
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in Municipal Elections (Counties, Municipalities) |
31% |
66% |
3% |
Canada - Thinking now about elections, do you support or oppose each of the following proposals?
|
Support |
Oppose |
Not sure |
|
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in Federal Elections (House of Commons) |
27% |
69% |
4% |
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in Provincial Elections (Provincial Legislatures) |
28% |
68% |
4% |
|
Allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in Municipal Elections (Mayors, Councils) |
32% |
65% |
3% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,001 Canadian adults, 1,004 American adults, and 1,049 British adults, conducted from Aug. 13 to Aug. 16, 2009. Margin of error for each country is 3.1 per cent.
Complete Poll - United States (PDF)
