Votes at 16 - by Ben Kisby & Lee Jerome (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Votes at 16 weaves together arguments and evidence to present a compelling case in favour of lowering the voting age in Britain to 16.

By setting out the key reasons why the voting age should be reduced for all elections, this book powerfully refutes the arguments advanced by opponents of reform to the electoral franchise. Situating votes at 16 in its historical context in Britain, it offers an overview of voting age reform over time and examines the rise of this issue over the last 20 years. It analyses evidence on the introduction of votes at 16 in six countries and argues that this demonstrates 16- and 17-year-olds possess the knowledge and skills to vote. The book also sets out how citizenship education can be enhanced to support the introduction of votes at 16.

Review Quotes

"Ben Kisby and Lee Jerome's timely book ... provides a comprehensive summary of the case for voting age reform in the UK as a catalyst for reengaging young people in the electoral process ... This book is essential for scholars and policy makers who are interested in comparative electoral reform, young people's political participation and citizenship education." --Party Politics

"This book offers a detailed historical and comparative analysis of voting age reform that is extremely timely. Written by two eminent scholars of UK youth politics, it will be invaluable to students, researchers and practitioners alike." --Matt Henn, Emeritus Professor of Social Research, Nottingham Trent University, UK

"What a helpful, clear and informative book that puts the scope for votes at 16 across the UK into historical and international context from an engaged perspective." --Sarah Pickard, Professor of Contemporary British Politics and Society, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (USN), Paris, France

About the Author

Ben Kisby is Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Lincoln, UK

Lee Jerome is Professor of Citizenship and Children's Rights Education at Middlesex University, UK