Lyla Lindsey
In 2007, Austria lowered its voting age from 18 to 16, becoming the first European country to do so. The decision was made by the Austrian National Council (Nationalrat) as part of a broader reform of the country's electoral law. The move aimed to increase the participation of young people in politics and empower them to decide on their living space and future. Since then, Austria has witnessed varying trends in youth voter turnout, with some studies indicating higher participation among younger voters, while others suggest lower engagement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of change | 2007 |
| New voting age | 16 |
| Previous voting age | 18 |
| Date of change | 1 July |
| Previous change | 1992 |
| Previous voting age | 19 |
| Previous change before that | 1970s |
| Previous voting age | 20 or 21 |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria lowered the voting age to 16 in 2007
- Austria was the first EU country to lower the voting age to 16
- The voting age in Austria was previously lowered from 19 to 18 in 1992
- Lowering the voting age has encouraged political interest in young people
- Lowering the voting age has not yet achieved the goal of high and increasing youth turnout
Austria lowered the voting age to 16 in 2007
In 2007, Austria lowered the voting age from 18 to 16 years, becoming the first country to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in national elections. This change was the result of a broader reform of the country's electoral law, initiated by the main parties, and was intended to encourage political interest and participation among young people. The reform was implemented by the centre parties ÖVP and SPÖ, and allowed Austrians as young as 16 to vote in general, municipal, federal, and presidential elections, as well as in elections to the European Parliament.
Lowering the voting age in Austria was part of a larger movement to increase youth participation in politics and give Europe's youth a bigger say in the future of European integration. The change was also influenced by the argument that if young men could be drafted for war at 18, they should also be given the right to vote at that age. By lowering the voting age to 16, Austria aimed to involve young people in the political process before they experienced significant life changes, such as moving out of their parents' homes, which could potentially boost long-term political involvement.
The impact of lowering the voting age in Austria has been studied, and the results indicate that the reform was generally successful. The reported turnout of first-time voters in the 2008 general election was 88%, which corresponds to the average voter turnout. Over time, young voters in Austria have shown increased interest in politics and electoral campaigns, with their political interest and knowledge becoming similar to that of older voters. Additionally, adolescent voters have exhibited high levels of trust in the democratic process and satisfaction with how democracy works.
However, the goal of consistently high youth voter turnout has not yet been fully achieved in Austria. The electoral turnout of first-time voters has fluctuated and depends on various factors, such as the attention given to mobilising young voters by political parties, educational institutions, and the media. Nevertheless, Austria's experience with lowering the voting age has provided valuable insights and has been considered a potential model for other countries and the EU as a whole to increase youth participation in politics.
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Austria was the first EU country to lower the voting age to 16
Austria: The First EU Country to Lower the Voting Age to 16
Austria has been the first and the only country in the EU to allow 16-year-olds to vote at all political levels for over a decade. In 2007, the Austrian National Council (Nationalrat) lowered the voting age from 18 to 16 as part of the electoral law reform. The reform was initiated by the main parties, with the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and The Greens (in opposition) strongly promoting the idea. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), a coalition partner of SPÖ, also proposed and agreed to introduce absentee voting.
The decision to lower the voting age was made to increase the participation of young people in politics. At 16, young people in Austria are already dealing with life planning, deciding on their educational path, and some are already in their professional lives. Lowering the voting age allows them to participate in political decision-making processes and decide on their living space and future.
Positive Effects of Lowering the Voting Age
The lowering of the voting age in Austria has had several positive effects. Firstly, it has increased the turnout of young voters. In the 2008 general election, the first national-level election in which 16-year-olds could vote, the reported turnout of first-time voters was 88%, which corresponds to the average voter turnout. This indicates a positive starting effect. The European elections in 2019 also saw a record high turnout due to a 19% increase in voter turnout for people under 25.
Secondly, lowering the voting age has increased the political interest and participation of young people. Studies have shown that younger citizens in general vote more than older first-time voters and express relatively high levels of trust in democratic participation. They also follow electoral campaigns to the same extent as other young voters and exhibit high levels of satisfaction with democracy.
Thirdly, the lowering of the voting age has allowed young people to have a say in politics and be involved in the political process at an earlier stage of their lives. This can potentially boost long-term involvement and participation in politics.
Challenges and Criticisms
While the lowering of the voting age in Austria has had positive effects, there have also been some challenges and criticisms. One concern is that 16- to 17-year-olds are not mature enough to make politically informed and well-considered decisions. Critics also argue that lowering the voting age alone is not enough to secure the active participation of young people.
In addition, while the turnout of younger first-time voters has increased, there is still a need to provide permanent curricular and extra-curricular support to achieve a sustainably high and rising youth turnout. This includes the long-term commitment of educational centres, political decision-makers, and opinion leaders.
Overall, Austria's decision to lower the voting age to 16 has had encouraging effects, and it has served as a pioneer for other EU countries considering similar reforms.
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The voting age in Austria was previously lowered from 19 to 18 in 1992
In 1992, Austria lowered the voting age from 19 to 18. This change applied to all levels of government. Eight years later, in 2000, five Austrian federal states lowered the voting age for local and regional elections to 16.
In 2007, the Austrian government, led by the centre parties ÖVP and SPÖ, lowered the voting age to 16 nationwide for all elections. This made Austria the first member of the European Union and the first of the developed world democracies to adopt a voting age of 16 for all purposes.
Lowering the voting age has been shown to encourage political interest in young people in Austria. Young voters who vote once are more likely to turn out in future elections as well. Studies have shown that 16 and 17-year-olds are more likely to participate in elections than 18-year-olds when they become eligible. This may be due to the possibility of better preparation for the election through school and parental homes.
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Lowering the voting age has encouraged political interest in young people
In 2007, Austria lowered the voting age from 18 to 16 for all elections, becoming the first country in the European Union to do so. This move has been regarded as a success by many, with some suggesting that it could serve as a model for the rest of the EU.
Furthermore, a study of young voters' behavior in the 2009 European Parliament election showed them to be as capable as older voters of articulating their beliefs and making voting decisions that align 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 in the process were significantly higher.
The impact of lowering the voting age is also evident in the increased political interest among young people over time. While initial surveys in 2013 suggested lower political interest among the youngest voters, subsequent surveys in 2017 found that these young voters had become more interested in politics and electoral campaigns, with results similar to the population average.
The first election is crucial in fostering long-term political engagement. If it is accompanied by proper information and motivation at school, young people are more likely to participate in future elections. This early engagement in the political process can help ensure that young people's voices are heard and their interests are represented in the decisions that will shape their future.
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Lowering the voting age has not yet achieved the goal of high and increasing youth turnout
Lowering the voting age has been a topic of discussion in many countries, with some arguing that it will increase youth participation in politics and allow them to have a say in their future. In 2007, Austria became the first country in the European Union to lower the voting age to 16 for all elections, including general, municipal, federal, and presidential elections, as well as elections for the European Parliament. This move was part of a broader reform of electoral law and was supported by four out of five political parties.
While the decision to lower the voting age was expected to increase youth turnout, the results have been mixed. Ten years after the reform, the goal of consistently high voter participation among young Austrians has not been fully realized. The 2008 general election, the first at the national level in which 16-year-olds could vote, saw an encouraging 88% turnout among first-time voters. However, this trend did not continue in the subsequent 2013 general election, which saw a decline in youth participation. This decrease has been attributed to less attention being paid to mobilizing first-time voters by political parties, educational institutions, and the media during the second election.
It is important to note that lowering the voting age alone may not be sufficient to ensure active youth participation in elections. Critics argue that teenagers under 18 lack the ability and motivation to participate effectively in elections, which could negatively impact the quality of democracy. However, survey data from Austria suggests that the lower turnout among citizens under 18 is not due to a lack of ability or motivation but may be influenced by their preference for new modes of political participation beyond traditional electoral routes.
While the initial boost in youth turnout during the 2008 election in Austria was promising, it is clear that more needs to be done to achieve consistently high and increasing youth turnout. This could include providing proper information and motivation in schools, as well as investing more in political education to engage young people in the political process at an earlier stage. Additionally, political parties, educational institutions, and the media can play a crucial role in encouraging youth participation by consistently focusing on issues relevant to young voters and emphasizing the importance of their vote.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria lowered the 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 in elections for the European Parliament.
No, Brazil and Nicaragua lowered the voting age to 16 in the 1980s. However, Austria was the first country in the EU to allow 16-year-olds to vote in national elections.
Lowering the voting age in Austria has been shown to increase political interest and engagement among young people. The turnout of first-time voters in the 2008 general election was 88%, which corresponds to the average voter turnout.
Yes, Malta lowered the voting age to 16 in 2013, becoming the second country in the EU to do so. In Germany and Estonia, 16-year-olds can vote in some regional elections, and in Scotland, they can vote in local and Scottish Parliament elections.
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