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Youngest Saanich councillor urges endorsement to reduce voting age to 16 in B.C.

Ned Taylor said the earlier one begins voting, the longer they’ll remain a voter
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Saanich Coun. Ned Taylor wants young people involved in politics, and one way to ensure that, he says, is to reduce the voting age to 16 in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich’s youngest councillor is hoping his fellow council members will endorse a campaign to reduce the voting age to 16 in British Columbia.

Vote16BC is a grassroots campaign that is gaining momentum across Saanich and the province, according to Coun. Ned Taylor, who was inspired to create a motion to bring to an upcoming council meeting.

Having taken an interest in politics at an early age, the 22-year-old Taylor said it only makes sense to reduce the age to 16, since young people are the future and the future is at stake.

“I’ve supported lowering the voting age to 16 since before I was that age – youth are the ones who are going to be experiencing the impact of current decisions in the long-term,” he said.

Young people are more involved and informed than ever, he added, and for this reason they deserve the right to vote.

Studies show that the younger a person is when they cast their first ballot, the more likely they are to remain an active voter throughout their lifetime, Taylor said.

“I’m optimistic that we will get a strong showing of support.”

No date had been set for the motion to come to council. To view the Vote16BC campaign visit dogwoodbc.ca/lower-bc-voting-age/.