Australia it is 18, and it is compulsory to vote, as it should be. That covers Federal, State and Local Government elections.

Leave it at 18. That will be fine.

There are some very politically aware 16 yr olds, some I have spoken with have a far better grasp on our political system than some 60 yr olds I've spoken to. However I do think it is probably best to leave it until 18.Edited 15-Jan-23 14:11pm

My 17yo (b) can't even remember if he has training or which way to drive to get to school sometime and they want to lower the voting age? C'mon, we're gonna give our next generation voting rights but they can't decide on what they wanna eat, my boy always says "I'll have whatever" My reply to him is 2 options, "food or air" to which he'll reply "yes" ????? How much longer does this go on for cos to him eating air is yummy. 18 is still young but let's see if he matures next year Edited 14-Dec-22 11:59am

I agree leave it at 18

What ever happened to the 'age of the rights of passage'?? Now you are 18, an educated, responsible young adult. Now you can drink, vote, enjoy adult entertainment, be yourself, go to university, sign legal documents by yourself and for yourself... it is a package!! Leave voting at 18 !!

That's crazy, i think 18 is still young. 21 is better and i like that it is compulsory to vote where i live.

Even 18 is too young for some voters. Many are not interested in voting in the beginning and some take years to get interested,

Bloody hell. Even 18 is too young. Should be 21. You need experience and knowledge to vote. And not too many at 18 have that!

I think it is better to keep it 18.

I think 18 is a good age to start voting MC

Give the brats the vote at 16 BUT then they can be tried as an adult, get an adults prison sentence, be called up for active duty, etc

In Australia it is also compulsory and the voting age is 18 and hope it stays that way. By 18 they are more developed than by 16 and hopefully they know 'their human rights" from "their human wrongs" a lot better!

16 year olds, do not know their left feet from their right feet. I mean, when was the last time, you held an intelligent conversation with any 16th y.o.? If you have, then congratulations!!

the only problem with voting is that it only encourages the bloody politicians.

25 is properly grown up.

Any government decision potentially affects people for longer if they are younger, so sure! But no need to make it compulsory at those ages... I would actually raise the drinking age to 21 at the same time as booze has a huge negative affect on the brain before that. And I'm so tired of hearing about drunk teens dying and killing their friends by drink driving.

If it’s lowered how many teens would want to vote?

Great idea ! And while theyre at it lower the drinking age to 16 as well. Ummm!

Is this another stupid Woke Idea?

I believe that 18 should be the lowest age. Compulsory voting creates many invalid voters.

The NZ Government raised the Youth Court age to include 17 years old because they considered up to 17 didn't have enough nous to understand properly what they were doing wrong. They can't have it both ways, now saying that down to 16 have enough nous to vote. They don't and woke judges cannot decide it is against the Bill Of Rights because it is not mentioned in the Bill of Rights from my memory..

We should have the right. If we want to vote on the day or not. If you can vote at 16 years you should can buy alchool that ages

Far too young, they are still children. They will have no idea what they are voting . This Australia not New Zealand

They are using the excuse that they are old enough to have kids and make life decisions for them. The aren't old enough for that either but they do it anyway. I certainly don't want to live in a country with a government voted in by a bunch of kids!

I think 18 year old don't have the knowledge to vote or drink, smoke or drive, should go back to 21

No way should kids at age 16 be allowed to vote. I do not believe they ready to vote. I think it would cause a massive problem. We have enough problems now. I live in Australia.

It should stay at 18, 16 is not an age that should be for voting, if they lower it then they need to lower the drinking age. If the government listened more to the people that put them in charge, maybe more people would vote.

18 is the voting age in the good old USA but we have some elected officials introducing bills to Congress TO UP THE VOTING AGE TO 21. . Only because the last few elections the voting demographics for young adults age 18 -21 have tripled, Some elected officials tend to lose elections more when young people vote so they have introduced legislation to change the voting age to 21. but I did not see any bills for selective service changes, If the kid is too young to voice his own opinion on political issues, then he is too young to risk his life defending the political opinions and issues of others in this country. JUST A THOUGHT

I believe 18 is a suitable age,, however I think schools should educate pupils more on politics so they understand who they are voting for and why.

In Australia it’s 18 and compulsory. At least we get a vote compared to some countries.

There are a lot of crazy things happening in New Zealand at present. That happens when you put a crazy person in charge!Edited 24-Nov-22 18:01pm

I'm from Melbourne and the age is the same as in New Zealand and here too they want the age to become 16 not 18 and is compulsory i think it should stay at 18 and not moved to 16!!!

If you're old enough to go to war and die, or get wounded, then you're old enough to vote. Voting should be mandatory with a "none of the above" choice on the ballot

Definitely shouldn't be 16! If they do lower it then 16 year olds should be able to enlist in the armed forces, and if they commit a crime, they are charged in the general courts, not youth court.Edited 24-Nov-22 16:27pm

18, need some life experience to make a vote count

Si le vote était permis aux 16-17 ans, ça pourrait changer les résultats d'un élection. Je crois qu'il y a des jeunes avec assez de maturité pour voter. Par-contre beaucoup d'entre eux ne s'intéressent pas à la politique, ils n'y comprennent rien.

21 it should be so the teenagers have some life experience before they vote and understanding how their vote will count and where it is targeted 16 just out of school,unempolyed ,still living at home what do they know about the adult world and how they will be affected by a vote . Politicians do they really care about a childs vote? Why don't we just let them run the country Edited 24-Nov-22 16:11pm

In Australia currently it's 18 years of age but I have always said that it should be 21. At 18 people are still confused in what they want to do and don't have a strong knoewledge of politics. So I think making it 21 by then most will have a sound-knowledge of it. It's not really taught in schools to much so why are we essentially forcing 'kids' to vote? 18 your an adult but your still young and most not knowing what they are voting for at that age. I think NZ is silly to even consider lowering it to 16. Your going to end up with 'dead votes' people just voting for whatever because they are not in the know. There is probably enough of them already without more 'dead votes'.

It is not against Human rights .What about drinking age ,marriage age, ,school starting age,driving age etc .It;s just a person who wants to create problems for governments.& have 16yr old kids very few of whom are interested in politics just marking X in any box

I think 18 years and I’m in Nz

18+ , 21 Be better, thats when brain more developed, drinking age should also go back up to 20+

It should not happen, i still think it should be 21, so I suppose i am way out, plus it is being pushed by the; left who know that most young people vote on that side.

It should stay at 18. What would 16yo know about politics except to vote for a govt who just likes throwing free $$ away and tax those who work sweat and tears to earn decent living. 16yo don't know how income is generated

18 and yes...I would think keeping the voting age at 18 is the right way to go.

I think 16 is far too young, we are barely out of Puberty and, for many, that is a period with a lot of personal problems. Australia has, despite it being a pain in the arse, Compulsory Voting which is possibly the Most Democratic system in the world. Some say, and I agree, that if you don't vote you don't have a Right to criticise the Government you get and that can result in a Dictatorship. Check out Germany in the 1930s. only about 33% or less of those eligible to vote did so and what did Germany and Europe get? Adolf Hitler and his Nazis. Back to the Voting Age issue. Keep it at 18 but give them the option to Opt-out of Voting until they are 21 if that is what they wish. After their 21st Birthday they then have to Vote. Actually, you don't HAVE to Vote if you don't want to. You HAVE to attend a Polling Booth and have your name marked off on the Electoral Roll. What you do with your Ballot Papers is entirely up to you. Cast a Formal Vote as shown or make it clear you are not voting by ruining the ballot paper by drawing naughty pictures, scribbling all over them, putting the same number in each square - do whatever you like.

Our voting age in Australian is 18 but I think it should be 21. Most have no idea what to vote for as they have just come out of school and haven't had a chance to experience life.

16 is too young for most kids to grasp the working of politics. Just a silly idea.

I really don’t know

18 in Oz. Compulsory. I don't get that. When I was 18 I had no idea of Politics and voted the way My Dad did. It's too young

16 and 18 are both to young in australia you have to vote or cop a fine if under 21 there not realy understanding what gose on if they wont to lower the age why 10 haha still no mature enough

In australia its 18 and onec you register its compulory,

Absolute ludicrous to even think that a 16 year old is mature enough to vote when will people grow up and forget this nonsense.

16 is too young

I wasn't eligible to vote until 21 and that really is the age the human brain starts to gain a bit of sense and maturity, the left want a lower voting age because the kids can be controlled in their thinking at school and have no idea of the realities of surviving in the adult world

Well…at 16 both of my son’s we’re working part time and even though politics may not have been in the forefront of their thinking, making decisions about girls, drugs, alcohol and driving was!!! Therefore I feel that lowering the age of voting to 16 is quite acceptable, especially for this generation who have been exposed to technology through their entire lives, meaning they are well aware of what is happening in their own world and globally, after all who governs will affect their lives today and their future ???? I Edited 24-Nov-22 13:01pm

At 16, all I wanted to do was have fun and didn't think of politics at all, 16 is too young I think.

16 is too young. A lot are still in school and not able to think about politics unless there is a chance of demonstations for something that is popular at the time. Yes if they do lower the age it is time to make them able to be in the adult courts and face the consiquenties of what they are doing in the the country

18 voting age here in my state

WE GET A LOT OF INFORMAL VOTES NOW . MOST 16 YEAR OLDS COULD NOT CARE LESS. That's Life People Deponch

It's 18yrs here in Australia and there are noises to lower the age too. Personally I don't think this young generation are mature enough to really understand how vital it is to know what democracy is and to exercise your rights. They are too easily swayed by "free" things and taken advantage of idiot politicians with their unsustainable policies. Like the morons who protest "climate change" and dirty coal, but they are happy to drink water out of a plastic bottle and have not idea what makes their iphone work. They are being taught garbage at school. It's too easy for them to have Mum and Dad provide everything for them, never have to really work and find out the real value of money and becoming independent. I have a 23 yr old who has bought her own home out of sheer hard work and determination. But now that she has the home, she is overwhelmed by ALL the things you need to do to keep it! Bills, mortgages, cooking for YOURSELF, washing for YOURSELF etc etc. She doesn't want to leave me and I think she has now realised how protected she has been. Mind you, I am only 5 minutes by car away!! She's done such a great job with the interior, I am so proud of her and I am encouraging her independence!!

If the age is reduced 16 then the age of responsibility is reduced to 16. So it means the 16+ are treated as adult's in court/laws. They can't have it both ways, if at 16 they are responsible to vote the they are are responsible to stand as a adult.

I think 16 is too young to understand the issues of our country or to be informed enough to make the right decision. My first-time voting was when I was 18. It was the first election that 18-year olds were able to vote in the US. Our arguments were that if they are old enough for the draft, which was in effect then, you are old enough to vote. I agree with that opinion. However, I don't agree with 16.

voting should be for people over 21. At 16 or 18, people are too immature to have an understanding of policies and the implications of these policies

18 currently here in NZ, and I think it should stay at this age as teens have been here long enough at 18 to make a wiser decision

18 minimum - the judges may be right in law but wrong in reality

18. I think young people have enough on their plate with education and choice of profession without weighing them down with the intricacies of politics

It should be left at 18

Eighteen even though the court had ruled its “unreasonable age discrimination” come on. If they’re going to be allowed to vote they should also be held legally responsible for their actions instead of being untouchable due to age. Rights bring corresponding responsibilities…….or should.

leave it at 18

when they lowered the age from 21 to 18 it was right as you could serve your country at 18. to reduce lower would be inviting a ridiculous amount of misunderstanding amongst the community as as a 16 yo you are too highly influenced by others such as parents, teachers, peer group and media. We need to undertsand that discipline { not violence} has become something that has disappeared from our society hence the problems we are having with the younger generation stealing motor vehicles, there is no respect anymore and it is a shame we see woke society pushing for more of their stupidity.

Leave it at 18 That's low enough

I think 18 is fine and it should not be lowered to 16. Let them have their childhood for awhile as they grow up so fast these days. It's scary that 9 and 10 year olds are stealing cars and they know nothing can be done about it. No one can touch them. I think their parents should be fined and made to pay compensation for the stolen cars. Yes it is compulsory to vote here in Australia and if you don't they fine you. Another big issue we have here is that people are becoming homeless. So where do they send the fines? I think there are some serious issues here that need addressing before they lower the voting age.

A 16 year old is not mature enough to realise that voting is such a privilege - they will make a joke of it. This is such a silly suggestion, and as for "human rights" every person from 1 day old has rights but they cannot use their brains enough to vote on important matters.

I hope it doesn't go through - who stated that - probably a sixteen year old. We just had schoolies week here on the Gold Coast and most of them were 18 and they certainly didn't act like they could count never mind vote. Most of them spent the time getting drunk and acting even younger.

If we are talking interest and knowledge, it seriously has nothing to do with age. I know 40 year olds that have no interest and do no research. I believe 16 year olds who want to vote and are interested should be encouraged to do so. It may start them on the road early to caring about politics.

It’s a whole lot of woke “Who shot John” and should be really seriously considered before changing it.

Most 16 year olds don't have the sense to research or to critically think yet. They are easily influenced by the adults around them and to celebs/influencers online. Even at 18 it isn't too different but at 18 you can get your licence, drink alcohol and you are usually out of high school and into work or uni so you begin your journey of new life experiences. You begin to learn but it doesn't mean you will have an interest in politics and I think a majority of people of any age that votes does no real research into what/who they are voting for anyway. Also I wouldn't think a majority of 16 year olds want to be forced to vote. They are busy with school and we should just let them be kids for as long as possible, it only another 2 years and they can start to contribute then.

In Australia voting age is 21 and voting is compulsory. I suspect a lot of voting is done through obligation, without much thinking.

19

I think it should stay the age that it is now. Most 16 year olds have no interest or knowledge in Politics, so to enable 16 year old to make a largely uneducated vote seems pointless. Besides that, lowering the age is just Political parties' way of enabling more votes!

we vote them in ,they do what they want,whats going to change

Has anyone asked the 16 year olds if they want to vote yet?

Yes, the voting age should be considered when people can earn money and pay tax. But does that mean that a bright kid (aged 12) should vote.

It's just a smoke screen taking the eye's off the house sitting under urgency to Ram through 3 waters , passport reforms, farmers and fonterra changes etc

Brains are not fully developed at that age and teenagers think they are invincible and know it all. For me I think 21 years is better as by then they have finished school and have a more mature outlook. At least most of them! Here in Australia it is compulsory. NZ is advanced in a lot of areas that Australia should adopt, but not this one.

Keep it at 18,very few 16 year olds are mature enough to vote!

I believe it should stay at 18.

Leave it at 18,or raise it to 25 then at least there is, possibly, some understanding of what you are voting for or against....

To vote you need to have an understanding of the ramifications of your vote. You get what you vote for. The Labor and Greens Parties want to get the age lowered because the young are amenable. They want to take the western world so far left we will become a third world country. However, the politicians and the rich won't be affected by that. 16 year olds don't like authority but will be voting to have the government tell them what to do and what to think. Most 16 year olds are still in school and have no idea how governments work so would have no idea they are being manipulated.

If you are old enough to be taxed for working, you are old enough to vote for whoever is taxing you. Australia, compulsory and it should be.

Sure but if you lower the voting age to 16 than you should also lower the age that people can be charged as an adult in a court of law. If you're old enough to vote than you're old enough to do adult time for serious crimes

I think as long as some crazy party doesn't become a tiktok trend and its cool to vote them in and we all suffer from a stupid trendEdited 24-Nov-22 07:40am

I've never voted in my 75 years. I know some may not understand, but I almost failed Government and History in High School, because I never did understand it, and didn't care about it. Now, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I'm not obligated to vote for man's government. We are waiting for Jesus to return Kingdom rule back to him Father, Jehovah, after the 1000 year reign ends. Looking forward to a perfect government on a perfect earth! Isaiah 65:17-25. ;-D

The Labour party wants to increase their voting base just to stay in power. They want those who are easier to manipulate compared to those who are older and have already seen too many of their electoral pledges to be worth nothing eventually. What next 5 year olds - voting for a pack of candies?

IN AUSTRALIA ITS 18 AND I THINK THATS LOW ENOUGH AGE TO VOTE AND IT IS COMPULSORY

You should only be able to vote when you understand what will happen when politicians make decisions on your life. So some people should not vote until they are very old

FAR to YOUNG and lacking any life experience

come on you people, wake up and smell the roses. there are lots of things to consider about 16 years old, we allow them to drink alcohol and smoke ???, why not allow them their civil duty and vote. We allow them to drive cars with (learners)/full licence, and yet we deny them a chance to vote. W allow them to have sex to create more lives, still they are not allow to vote. We are encourage to let them speak their mine in issue that concern them, are we going to stop them politically. What are we affraid of ? The younger generation are stealing the lime light ?. Give them that opportunity to have a voice in policy making. It is now and their future that we are messing with You can say a birds eye view on younger generation

At 16, children are barely out of school (in many cases they are still at school) and certainly do not have the requisite life experience required to cast a sensible vote.