In New Zealand, a big report suggested some changes to how people vote. It said that 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote and prisoners should also
In New Zealand, a big report suggested some changes to how people vote. It said that 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote and prisoners should also get the right to vote. But the New Zealand Government has decided not to follow these suggestions. This report was made by a special group called the Independent Electoral Review, which started its work in 2022. They said that young people who are 16 can make good choices about voting, just like 18-year-olds.
However, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith didn’t agree with these ideas. He said the government will think more about it but has already decided they won’t let 16-year-olds vote or let all prisoners vote. Thomas Brocherie, who started a campaign called Make It 16, is not happy with this decision. He thinks it’s important for young people to vote and it’s about their rights.
The Supreme Court of New Zealand had earlier said that not letting 16-year-olds vote might not be fair. But Goldsmith hasn’t given a strong reason for not lowering the voting age. He thinks that the current age, 18, is working well.
The report also talked about letting prisoners vote, but the government said no to that too. Right now, prisoners who are in jail for more than three years can’t vote. The report said this should change.
The government did agree to one thing from the report. They will ask the people of New Zealand if they want to make the time for government leaders to stay in power longer, from three years to four years. This will be decided by a vote by all the people.