The Mechanical Effects of Lowering the Voting Age

• In Event: Comparative Electoral Institutions

Abstract

In a growing number of countries around the world, debates about political inclusion once more revolve around age and the question who should be allowed to vote. Countries such as Austria, Brazil, and Argentina have lowered the voting age to 16, while others, such as Belgium, Norway or Canada, have trialled reform or seen campaigns seeking to enfranchise younger people.
Crucial in discussions about voting age reform are the so-called “mechanical” effects of such reforms. Does the inclusion of younger voters increase turnout? Does it affect electoral outcomes? And do such reforms increase political representation of young people? These questions are difficult to answer, as reforms vary across countries. Moreover, a lack of comparative data makes it challenging to unveil cross-country patterns.
This paper presents results of a new comparative study based on an expert survey conducted in more than 30 countries examining voting age reforms and campaigns. The data allow for a first-time systematic comparison of the effects of voting age reforms and campaigns. We investigate the effects on political behaviour, election outcomes, and intergenerational political equality and representation.

Author

• Maria Constanza Sanhueza, Australian National University