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Lowering the Right to Vote to 16 Years of Age Is Misguided

Lowering the Right to Vote to 16 Years of Age Is Misguided
A person casts their referendum vote during election day in Wellington, New Zealand, on Oct. 17, 2020. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Gabriël Moens
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Commentary
On Nov. 21, the Supreme Court of New Zealand, in Make It 16 Incorporated v Attorney-General (pdf) declared that the legal provisions “which provide for a minimum voting age of 18 years are inconsistent with the right ... to be free from discrimination on the basis of age.”
Gabriël Moens
Gabriël Moens
Author
Gabriël A. Moens AM is an emeritus professor of law at the University of Queensland, and served as pro vice-chancellor and dean at Murdoch University. In 2003, Moens was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal by the prime minister for services to education. He has taught extensively across Australia, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
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