The Welsh Assembly are lowering the voting age to 16

“Lowering the voting age to 16 will give young people a stronger voice in the future of our nation.”

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The Welsh Assembly voted in Cardiff on Wednesday to introduce the Welsh Parliament and Elections Bill, which will be put into action early next year. This will mean that the voting age in Wales will be lowered to 16 years old.

Members of the assembly agreed by 44 votes to 1, and three abstentions, however the bill will be subject to scrutiny as it goes through legislative processes; requiring a 'super-majority' of 40 Assembly Members to vote in favour before it becomes law.

Presiding Officer Elin Jones and the Welsh Youth Parliament

Along with lowering the voting age to 16, the bill will also amend the law relating to the disqualification of being a member, and will make other changes to the Assembly's electoral and internal arrangements.

Elin Jones AM, the Llywydd (presiding officer) of the National Assembly has said; "lowering the voting age to 16 will give young people a stronger voice in the future of our nation."

The Assembly intends that the bill will be implemented fully by 2021.