Votes at 16

Votes at 16 is a coalition campaign for 16 and 17 year olds to be able to vote in all UK public elections

Launched in 2003, it is made up of over 40 leading youth and democracy organisations from across the UK. The Votes at 16 campaign is supported by thousands of young people and people of all ages, as well as politicians of all parties and institutions.

The campaign's main aim is to get political system to recognise the abilities of 16 year olds. They want to make sure you are included in society, to show you the respect that society expects by giving you the right to vote.

Watch this video to find out more:

"Over 1.5 million 16 and 17 year olds are currently denied the vote in the UK."

We want know what you think, leave us a comment below! If you are 16 and want to find out more, visit the Votes at 16 website, www.votesat16.org

Tell us what you think - do you think the age for voting should be lowered to 16?

If you want to leave comment on this feature please use the form below. Comments may take a day or so to appear. Please check back...

Channelmogo reserves the right to edit or not to publish content that is inappropriate.

Your name

Security code (from image below)

Your Message

Ben

No, if 16 year olds were allowed to vote, a lot of people wouldn't take the vote seriously, and vote for something stupid. A lot of 16 year olds don't know enough about politics to be able to vote.

Chloe

You've got to compare this to the average teenager. Most at 16 don't know what the word 'democracy' means and most of those don't even care, which is a shame but a real barrier to this issue. There won't be much support. I think the two years of waiting is useful to find out about how society works. I am only finding out myself at 17.

I actually feel a bit intimidated by the thought of being able to vote rather than feeling like an adult.

I also have to comment on this; I can't believe someone compared this to the fight of the suffragists so many years ago. Their struggle was far harder and their basic human right of voting as a British citizen was well earned.

We are 16. I wish we would get more info on voting and be taken into consideration far more but I don't think we're ready to actually vote. Let it be.

Chloe

Actually... being allowed to vote in local town elections would be a good idea. We could gain experience from it and it would have a more direct (but not as heavy) impact. But otherwise I'm still against the protesting.

Jack

Other countries let 16 year olds drink. They openly talk about sex. They can vote at 16.

Look how little problems they have... all because they treat things casually rather than a big deal. Like a big family rather than different classes of popularity.

Just a thought.

Paris

I don't think 16 year old should be allowed vote in general election at that age, the majority of people around that age do not take politics seriously.
I know many people if given the chance at 16 would have voted for the monster raving loony party just to spite the government and because it’s funny and with the economy as it is we can’t afford for things like that to happen.
However, I do think it’s such a shame that those who do have the majority level and understand at that age can’t take up the chance to vote, I know I would of loved to have been able to vote at 16 but unfortunately you can’t say to one person you can vote and then say to another person you can’t because you don’t think they have the maturity level. It would become a slippery slop one that best to avoid all together really.
I may not think being allowed to vote in general elections is a good idea for 16 year olds but I do think it would be good for them to be able to vote in local town elections.
It would give them experience into how much their vote can affect things and it would make it more personal and interesting to them. I think this is something that should be looked at.