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The voting age in Alderney could be dropped from 18 to 16 if proposals which supporters say are "long overdue" are approved by the States this month.
An amendment to set the voting age at 16 was approved previously but the change was not implemented.
Jersey and Guernsey both made the change more than 10 years ago, back in 2007.
Ian Carter, a former headmaster and now Deputy Chairman of Alderney's senior Committee, Policy and Finance, is welcoming the latest proposal to lower the voting age.
“The States have long held an ambition to include younger people in the election process but it has stalled on two occasions,” said Mr Carter.
“This is long overdue and there is no reason for further delay.
"We hope we will soon be encouraging 16- to 18 year olds to take part in the island’s elections.”
Supporters of the change hope the voting age will be lowered in time for the next round of elections in November this year.
Pictured: Alderney States' member Alex Snowdon, who also represents the island in the States of Deliberation in Guernsey, is in favour of lowering the voting age to 16.
Alderney Representative Alex Snowdon thinks it is “essential” for the States to approve the latest proposal.
“The younger generation must be given a say in what happens in the island because it is their future that is being affected,” said Mr Snowdon.
“Younger people deserve the right to elect representatives who reflect what they want to see happen in the island.
"There are a number of issues that will directly impact the younger generation, such as the airport runway and new sports facility.”
Mr Snowdon said that lowering the voting age would be “a step in the right direction to engage younger people in the island with local politics”.
“If the voting age is lowered, which I sincerely hope it will be, I would like to see an engagement programme with the school where students are taught about local politics and that their voting decisions have repercussions,” he said.
“Young people in Alderney deserve to be heard and they deserve to be represented on the matters which they care about. I hope that it will help to encourage younger people to stay in the island and have confidence in their community.”
Pictured: Former States' member Chris Rowley is surprised that another vote is needed when an amendment to lower the voting age was approved years ago.
Former States' member Chris Rowley said he first suggested lowering the voting age “around six or seven years ago”.
“When I was in the States, there was a perception that the younger generation had no interest in local politics and I wanted to do something that would help increase that interest,” said Mr Rowley.
“I firmly believe that students should be taught the nuts and bolts of local government in school so that they know what they are entitled to and start to gain an interest in issues that matter to them.
“I have a master’s degree but, until I was in the States, I had no idea how to even put something on the agenda because it is not something that is taught unless you are involved in the process. I think more people should have access to knowing how government works.”
Mr Rowley said he put “considerable time and effort” into his proposal before presenting it to the States.
“I researched voting ages around the world and quickly realised that even Guernsey and Jersey were in line with a lot of other countries across the entire globe which have a voting age of 16,” he said.
Pictured: Alex Snowdon said the debate about whether to extend Alderney's runway would have a considerable effect on younger people in Alderney and that was one reason to try to involve more of them in politics and voting.
“I put together a more than adequate proposal and it was voted through with 100% approval," said Mr Rowley.
"I am still unclear on why, after that vote, the change did not come into effect. I have raised that question many times over the years and no one has been able to give me an answer.
“I am very surprised that it is to be debated again when it has already been approved by the current States. But I just want to see it implemented.
"I think it is an insult to 16 year olds that they could have had this opportunity for years. What is the point of making a decision if nothing is then done?”
Express asked the States of Alderney about the alleged delay, but they were unable to provide a response in time for publication.
Mr Rowley echoed Mr Snowdon’s comments that it is important for the voting age to be lowered.
“I can’t see any reason why the proposal won’t be approved and the younger generation in Alderney will finally be able to have a say in the future of their island,” said Mr Rowley.
The proposal will be debated when the island's States meet this month. If approved, it will go to the Ministry of Justice and then the Privy Council for Royal Sanction before becoming law in Alderney.
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