Hey there fellow democratic citizen! Firstly, I would like to make sure that you have registered, and are prepared to exercise your human right to vote in the upcoming local body elections (16th September – 8th October) and the general election in 2023!
What’s that? You’re just not that into politics?
WRONG ANSWER!
There is no such thing as being apolitical. Your decision to be complicit is harmful in itself. Excluding yourself from conversations and decisions that determine the safety and wellbeing of others makes you complicit in the systemic oppression by the status quo (that thrives on mass inaction and silence!). It is a privilege to not care about politics because they don’t affect you, lots of people don’t share in that luxury.
Having a say in our collective future is so important. Our existing systems, institutions, policies, and decision makers are shaping our futures as you read this. It is imperative that we empower our Rangatahi by allowing them to voice concerns for their own future in order to restore a sense of hope and agency. Part of this kaupapa, is making sure that youth who will inherit the future have a say in its construction. This is why there is a mass movement of young people campaigning to lower the voting age to 16 here in Aotearoa.
“16 year olds can’t vote!” you say, “they are too young!”. Are you kidding? Young people are having to face intense pressures of the climate crisis, worsening inequality, my mouldy bedroom walls, stolen whenua and appropriated identities, a global pandemic… need I go on? Youth deserve a say in how we tackle these issues. “They’ll just vote like their parents!”. Maybe, but I don’t know about you, but my vision for the future is very different to that of my parents and theirs. My point here is that youth in Aotearoa (and across the world) face massive challenges now and in the future. Our ability to combat such challenges will be affected most by the political decisions made today. If you care about student wellbeing, the climate, the cost of living, housing, your friends, your community, your family, your future, then you should care about making it to 16.
There are a number of reasons why lowering the voting age to 16 is a good idea. For example, giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote would strengthen our democracy, with a larger number of voices heard in the decision making processes. Scotland, Wales, Austria and many other countries have seen the benefits of increased youth turnout since lowering the voting age to 16 (and their countries didn’t fall into anarchy). New Zealand used to lead the world in the provision of democratic rights, but is now falling behind. Still not convinced? Give this a thought. Society allows 16 and 17 year olds to have sex, buy guns and chainsaws, drive, decide their medical treatments, leave school, work and to pay tax, and yet not the right to vote? Seems a little sketchy to me.
The Make it 16 campaign has even taken this issue to the supreme court – the highest court in Aotearoa – to seek a formal decleration that preventing 16 and 17 year-olds from voting is unjustified age discrimination under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
Most importantly, we have our petition to the House of Representatives – to Extend the vote to 16 and 17 year-olds, for both Local and General Elections. We are aiming for 10,000 signatures by the end of September! Signing this petition supports Make it 16’s campaign to extend the vote in Aotearoa. The time for change is now – sign the petition (our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/make-the-voting-age-16), join the campaign (we would LOVE more Waikato representatives), and follow our journey on social media @makeit16nz.
Ngā mihi nui e te change makers xx
