MONCTON (GNB) – The provincial government will not act on a recommendation to lower the voting age unless the idea is approved by New Brunswickers during a referendum at the next municipal election after the Sept. 24, 2018 general election.
“While the electoral reform commission made strong arguments in favour of lowering the voting age to 16, we have heard strong arguments against this recommendation,” said Health Minister Victor Boudreau, who is also minister responsible for electoral reform. “Precedent currently exists in New Brunswick and across Canada to hold a referendum on the question of lowering the voting age, and we will follow that precedent.”
The provincial government held a referendum on lowering the voting age to 18 from 21 in October 1967.
Boudreau said the government would hold a referendum on the voting age in conjunction with the next municipal elections scheduled for May 2020.
20-03-17