Voting age could be 16 by the election

THE minimum voting age could be lowered to 16. Proposals will be brought to the States in October about bringing it down from 18 - a move already made by Jersey and the Isle of Man.

It has won the support of professionals working with youngsters in the island.

If the States agrees and the legislation comes back from the Privy Council quickly enough, around 3,000 16- to 18-year-olds will be able to vote in the next general election.

Ahead of its report being debated, the House Committee will survey islaanders between 15 and 18 to see what they think.

'In July, Jersey decided they would allow 16-year-olds to put their name on the electoral roll. The Isle of Man has also done it and we felt it was only right and proper we should take it to the States to allow them to make a decision,' said House Committee chairman Bernard Flouquet.

'There are various questions people have asked and are going to, such as ?do young people have the understanding??. But I think the questions could be answered quite easily. I don't believe that young people should be debarred from voting in a general election just because they are aged 16.'

The anonymous survey will be given to students and through Social Security to those already at work.

The House Committee report is already finished, but the results of the survey will be made public to help inform the debate.

'Hopefully, the report will go to the States in October.

'We will also need to change the reform law, so that would go to the Privy Council in December. Hopefully, it will be sanctioned and put in place for the next general election. We will do everything in our power to bring that about.'

Deputy Flouquet rejected the argument that young people could be pressured by their parents as to whom to vote for.

'When you go and vote in a general election, you go into a booth, it's private to you. I think young people have the sense to vote how they see fit.'

Deputy Mike O'Hara instigated the proposal, which has won the support of Grammar School head teacher Jeff Smith.

NCH youth alcohol worker Adam Farish also believed the voting age should be lowered.

But Deputy Francis Quin was against giving 16- and 17-year-olds the franchise.

'I don't think they have the life experience at 16.

'I didn't and I'm sure nothing much has altered. I'm not saying they shouldn't be interested or involved, but would you gain anything?'

The 2008 general election takes place on Wednesday 23 April.