Voter registration levels for the Scottish independence referendum are already showing the potential benefits of lowering the voting age to 16

Abstract

16 and 17 year olds will be allowed to vote in the Scottish independence referendum in September. Kyle Thornton, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, welcomes this move and explores how young people are responding to the opportunity. Responding to recent posts by Craig Berry and Andy Mycock & Jonathan Tonge, Thornton argues that giving 16-17 year olds the vote can improve participation in the long term by getting them into the voting habit earlier