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Liberal contender Mike de Jong promises to lower B.C. voting age
Liberal leadership hopefulMike de Jong says he supports lowering the eligible voting age by two years in B.C.
The former attorney general unveiled the policy idea today (December 15), two weeks after launching his bid to succeed Premier Gordon Campbell.
If he becomes premier, de Jong says he would support legislation to change the provincial voting eligibility rules so British Columbians could cast ballots at 16 years of age.
At present, citizens must be at least 18 years old to vote.
In a statement, de Jong suggested the new rules would encourage youth to participate in the democratic process. He says the number of young voters has been declining.
“If we want to engage young people what better way than to allow students in their graduating year to become full participants in the electoral process,” he says.
De Jong questions why 16 year olds are allowed to drive, join the military, or be treated by the courts as adults, but they cannot vote.
The MLA for Abbotsford West resigned from the Liberal cabinet to enter the leadership race. He faces four other candidates.
A new leader of the B.C. Liberals is to be selected by party members on February 26, 2011.
You can follow Stephen Thomson on Twitter at twitter.com/thomsonstraight.
We want to grow back to 75- or even 80% turnout - and I am certain Mr. de Jong would be the first to admit his own government was a big contributor to a lower turnout -.
Would the former AG be receptive to going to a high school in say Coquitlam - Gleneagle Secondary and explaining what happend at BC Rail - and why our courts like our democracy has become so sick and dysfunctional/ what role did he play in this sick, twisted dysfuntion -- and what can we do to turn it around.
Good idea Mike - I support this 100%
We are SO much easier to control if we dont have a clue about what is going on.
This is why we appear to be in trouble with the low levels of involvment and as evidenced by the willingness to wave away Democratic Rights without another thought. We get the government we deserve as those of us who fail to remember and share the past are doomed to repeat it.
Bring back Civics into the Public Education System.!
"You mean shot -- or killed?"
Unfortunately, this is anathema to the fascists that run our current governments and the MSM. The Howe street boys would shut this one down real fast. We can't have lefty school marm's teaching kids about civic responsibility and voting choices now can we.
Better they learn nothing, refuse to participate or get their political education from Bill Good or BCTV news and become good little fascists and sheepils..
seth
Funny how so many people think so little of our young people -- but it's nothing new, I suppose.
This may just be marketing for Mike de Jong, but it is a great idea.
Is it really responsible to enfranchise a whole group of voters—ones who are not yet legal adults—before you have fully engaged the voters you already have? Or is this just an attention-grabbing platform "issue"? Is there a large group of 16- and 17-year-olds lobbying the gov't to let them vote? No. It's a non-issue.
Get real, de Jong, and start addressing the issues that your current constituents are telling you are important.