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Malta’s 16-Year-Olds Set To Be Given Vote In Next Election

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The Maltese government has launched a public consultation process for the national voting age to be lowered from 18 to 16. 

The voting age was already lowered to 16 for the 2015 local council elections,  but is now also set to be lowered for the European Parliament and general elections. 

The public consultation document notes Maltese 16-year-olds are already legally allowed to run their own businesses, open their own bank accounts, and draw up their own wills. They are held criminally responsible for any wrongdoing as all adults are and are obliged to pay taxes should they get a job.  

If implemented, it will make Malta only the third European country to lower the voting age to 16 – following in the footsteps of Austria and Scotland. Outside of Europe, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador and Nicaragua have all given 16 year olds the right to vote.

The government will also consult with the public on whether 16 and 17 years olds should be allowed to contest local council elections, and whether they should even be allowed to be elected as mayors.

“The EU has already advised its countries to lower their voting age to 16, and indeed Austria already has,” parliamentary secretary for reforms Julia Farrugia Portelli told a press conference at Castille. “We aren’t scared of discussion, and we are ready to explore arguments from different angles so as to reach a decision that makes sense.”

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Parliamentary secretary for youths Clifton Grima said the government is proving its belief that Malta’s youths should have an active role in society.

“Ive worked with a lot of youths in recent months and I can ensure the public they are very level-headed,” he said. “Despite their youth, they are already mature, sometimes even more mature than people much older than them.”

He added the omnipresence of the internet means youths have all the necessary tools to make informed decisions, and said politicians have a duty to encourage youths to take a more active role in civi life.

The public consultation process will run until 7 October, after which the government will draft a White Paper stating its policy position in view of preparing a Bill to be discussed in Parliament.

Do you think 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote in general elections? Let us know in the comments section

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Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

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