Press Release - Alderney seeks to reduce voting age to 16 - 01.04.2022

Press Release

Date: April 1^st 2022

Issued at 09:40 hrs

Alderney seeks to reduce voting age to 16

The States of Alderney is hoping to reduce the voting age to 16 in time for the next round of elections in November.

The Policy & Finance Committee (P&F) wants to amend the Government of Alderney Law to allow younger people to play a part in electing its politicians and President as well as who represents them at the States of Deliberation in Guernsey.

The amendment will be debated at the full States meeting in April before being passed to the Ministry of Justice and on to the Privy Council for Royal Assent.

If approved, the Returning Officer, Alderney Chief Executive Kath Jones, will promote the opportunity to the Island's teenagers aged 16 and over, supported by elected Members Rhys Jenkins, who has responsibility for liaison with the School, and P&F Deputy Chair and former headmaster Ian Carter.

"The States has long held an ambition to include younger people in the election process but it has stalled on two occasions," said Mr Carter. "This is long overdue and there is no reason for further delay. We hope we will soon be encouraging 16-18s to take part in the Island's elections."

Ends