In its Lowering the Voting Age to 16 report, the youth select committee claims that 16- and 17-year-olds are more likely to vote than 18- to 25-year-olds because their lives are more stable.
The report states that many 16- and 17-year-olds live at home with their parents and face “less upheaval” than young adults, a group that has a historically low turnout at elections.
It also suggests that a lower voting age would create a “permanent change in our political culture” by getting young people into the habit of voting before they turn 18.
However, the report says the move would have to be supported with political education in schools to help young people understand why it is important to use their vote and how to do so with confidence.
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