THE RIGHT to vote has always been tightly circumscribed by those in power. The slogan “no taxation without representation” contributed to the American war of independence. Expansion of the franchise within Europe came slowly. Women were granted voting rights in these islands only 90 years ago. A literacy test for black people was banned in the US only 45 years ago. It took decades of debate before 18-year-olds were permitted to vote here in 1972. And now the question of extending the franchise to 16-year-olds has been raised.
Austria was the first European Union country to reduce the voting age to 16 years. Last September, there was a 70 per cent turnout of those registered there. The outcome supports the view of the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) that early registration, while most young people are still living at home, encourages participation. By the age of 18, it argues, young people are taken up by other concerns and it becomes more difficult to interest them in politics. The Irish experience is that members of the 18-24 age group are half as likely to vote in elections as those over 65 years.
An Oireachtas committee on the Constitution is considering matters of electoral reform at the moment. And members of the NYCI will lobby Minister for the Environment John Gormley on the subject next month. They will probably receive a friendly hearing because the Green Party is already committed to a reduction in the voting age for local elections. However, the response by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to an expansion of the Dáil franchise may be hostile. Exit polls have consistently shown that younger voters tend to gravitate towards the smaller, more controversial parties.
Six years ago, an electoral commission in Britain found there was “insufficient public support” to make the change. But the European Commission undertook to consider the issue. Austria went ahead. Those arguing against change maintain that 16 year-olds are immature and frequently irresponsible. Some are, but others work, pay taxes and bring up children.
Collapse of the banking and construction sectors have focused attention on parallel failures by Government and the political system. Oireachtas reforms, involving the number of elected representatives, sitting days, administrative arrangements and the balance of power between parliament and the executive are urgently required. Any changes to the system of proportional representation should also involve extending the franchise.