Lexi Webster
In 2007, Austria became the first country in the European Union to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in national elections. This was part of a broader reform of the electoral law, with the aim of increasing the participation of young people in politics. The right to vote, or active suffrage, is now set at 16 years of age in Austria, with the hope that this will encourage political interest in young people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Austria allowed 16-year-olds to vote | 2007 |
| Date the voting age reform came into force | 1 July 2007 |
| First national election with 16-year-old voters | 2008 |
| First election with 16-year-old voters | 2009 European Parliament election |
| Age to stand as a candidate | 18 |
| Age to stand as a candidate for Federal President | 35 |
| Voter turnout of first-time voters in 2008 | 88% |
| Voter turnout of first-time voters in 2013 | 63% |
| Voter turnout of all age groups in 2013 | 80% |
| Voter turnout of under 25s in 2019 | 48% |
| Voter turnout of 25 to 39-year-olds in 2019 | 56% |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria was the first country in the EU to lower the voting age to 16
- The Austrian National Council lowered the voting age in 2007
- The right to vote is a fundamental form of political participation
- The turnout of 16-17-year-olds in the 2013 Austrian National Election was 63%
- Lowering the voting age encourages political interest in young people
Austria was the first country in the EU to lower the voting age to 16
Austria was the first country in the European Union to lower the voting age to 16. This change came into effect on 1 July 2007, as part of a broader reform of the country's electoral law. The Austrian National Council (Nationalrat) decided to grant 16-year-olds the right to participate in political decision-making processes, allowing them to vote in general, municipal, federal and presidential elections, as well as in elections to the European Parliament.
The decision to lower the voting age was made to increase the participation of young people in politics. At 16, Austrians are considered to have reached the age of criminal responsibility and extended legal capacity. They are dealing with life planning, deciding on their educational paths, and some are already in the professional world. By lowering the voting age, Austria aimed to encourage political interest and engagement among its youth.
The impact of this reform was significant. In the 2008 general election, the first at the national level in which 16-year-olds could vote, the reported turnout of first-time voters was 88%, matching the average voter turnout. This indicated a positive effect of the reform. Additionally, a study of young voters' behaviour during the 2009 European Parliament election showed that 16 and 17-year-olds were as capable as older voters in articulating their beliefs and making voting decisions that aligned with their preferences. Their knowledge of the political process was only slightly lower than that of older voters, while their trust in democracy and willingness to participate were notably higher.
However, the trend of high youth voter turnout did not persist. In the 2013 general election, the reported turnout of 16 to 17-year-olds was 63%, which was lower than the general turnout of 80%. The political interest of first-time voters in this election was also significantly lower than that of older voting groups. Nevertheless, between 2013 and 2017, the political interest of Austria's youth rose again, and their likelihood of voting increased.
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The Austrian National Council lowered the voting age in 2007
In 2007, the Austrian National Council (Nationalrat) lowered the voting age from 18 to 16 as part of the 2007 electoral law reform. This decision was made to increase the participation of young people in the political process and to encourage political interest. The right to vote, or active suffrage, is considered the fundamental form of political participation in a democracy.
Austria became the first country in the European Union to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in federal elections and the first of the developed world democracies to adopt a voting age of 16 for all purposes. This change meant that young people could now vote in general, municipal, federal, and presidential elections, as well as in elections to the European Parliament.
The decision to lower the voting age was based on the fact that, at 16, young people in Austria have already reached the age of criminal responsibility and extended legal capacity. They are dealing with their life planning, deciding on their educational path, and some are already in the professional world. Therefore, the National Council decided to grant them the right to participate in political decision-making processes and to have a say in choosing their representatives and deciding on their future.
The impact of this reform was studied, and it was found that eligible 16-year-olds were more likely to vote in future elections. Additionally, there was a voting boost among young people aged 16-25 in Austria, with their trust in democracy and willingness to participate in the process markedly higher. However, the political consequences of this reform were not neutral, as newly eligible young voters were more likely to place themselves towards the extremes of the ideological spectrum, which proved costly for centrist government parties.
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The right to vote is a fundamental form of political participation
In 2007, Austria became the first country in the European Union to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years old, granting a new generation of young people the right to participate in political decision-making processes. This reform was part of a broader electoral law reform, sending a clear signal that policymakers trusted young people to make informed political decisions. The Austrian National Council made this decision to increase youth participation in politics, recognizing that 16-year-olds are already dealing with life planning, educational paths, and their professional future.
By lowering the voting age, Austria aimed to engage young people in the political process earlier, fostering their interest and knowledge of politics. This move was supported by the Council of Europe, which urged its member countries to lower the voting age to 16. The reform was successful in increasing youth voter turnout in Austria, with the 2019 European elections seeing a record high turnout due to increased youth participation.
However, the impact of lowering the voting age goes beyond increased turnout. Studies have shown that eligible 16-year-olds are more likely to vote in future elections, and the reform encouraged political interest among young Austrians. Additionally, newly eligible young voters placed themselves towards the extremes of the ideological spectrum, demonstrating the potential for long-term political consequences.
Despite the positive outcomes, critics argue that 16-year-olds may not be mature enough to make well-informed political decisions. While the right to vote is fundamental, it is essential to ensure that young voters are provided with proper information and motivation to participate in the political process. Overall, Austria's decision to lower the voting age to 16 has had a significant impact on youth political participation and continues to shape the country's democratic landscape.
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The turnout of 16-17-year-olds in the 2013 Austrian National Election was 63%
In 2007, Austria became the first country in the European Union to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in national elections. This decision was made to increase the participation of young people in politics, as the right to vote is the fundamental form of political participation in a democracy. At 16, young people have reached the age of criminal responsibility and extended legal capacity, and are dealing with their life planning, educational paths, and professional futures.
The Austrian National Council (Nationalrat) lowered the voting age as part of the 2007 electoral law reform. The voting age was reduced when the provisions of the reform came into force on 1 July 2007.
In the 2013 Austrian National Election, the turnout of 16 to 17-year-olds was 63%. This was significantly lower than the general turnout of 80%. The 2013 election saw a decline in voter participation from the previous election in 2008, which had a 'first-time boost' of young voters. This decline has been attributed to less attention being paid to mobilising first-time voters by political parties, educational institutions, and the media.
Despite the lower turnout in 2013, the trend of higher youth participation in politics continued in subsequent years. Between 2013 and 2017, the political interest of Austria's youth rose, and their likelihood of voting increased. This indicates that the initial boost in youth participation in 2008 was not a one-off occurrence, and that the efforts to encourage young people to vote have had a lasting impact.
The high youth turnout in the 2013 election, as well as the increasing trend of youth participation in politics, demonstrates the success of Austria's decision to lower the voting age. It shows that young people are interested in politics and are willing to engage in the political process when given the opportunity.
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Lowering the voting age encourages political interest in young people
In 2007, Austria became the first country in the European Union to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in federal elections. This reform was part of a broader reform of the country's electoral law, and it sent a clear signal to young people that policymakers trusted them to make political decisions.
Lowering the voting age can also have a positive effect on general voter turnout and the representation of young people's interests, both of which are considered essential to a properly functioning democracy. In the 2019 European elections, there was a record-high turnout due to an increase in the youth voter turnout. In Austria, the increase in the two young voter categories was 19% for people under 25 and 16% for people aged 25 to 39.
However, critics warn that 16- to 17-year-olds are not mature enough to make politically informed and well-considered decisions. In addition, lowering the voting age alone is not enough to secure the active participation of young people.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria lowered its voting age from 18 to 16 in 2007.
In Austria, 16-year-olds can vote in general, municipal, federal, and presidential elections, as well as elections to the European Parliament.
The Austrian National Council lowered the voting age to increase the participation of young people in politics. Lowering the voting age also encourages political interest in young people.
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