Sidney MacEwen, P.E.I. MLA, wants voting age dropped
Sidney MacEwen says 16 and 17-year-olds know the issues
A Progressive Conservative MLA wants the province to drop its voting age for the next election.
Sidney MacEwen, the Opposition Whip and representative for Morell-Mermaid, is asking the government to take that step. He was impressed with the teenagers he met on the campaign trail in last year's provincial election.
"They knew everything about the issues, so I wanted to put it on their agenda," MacEwen said.
The P.E.I. government has tabled legislation which, if passed, would allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in an upcoming plebiscite on electoral reform.
Premier Wade MacLauchlan said he's waiting to see how younger voters respond to the chance to vote in the plebiscite this fall.
In a plebiscite this November, Islanders will be asked to choose from among four options to change the electoral system in the province or to maintain the status quo.
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With files from Kerry Campbell