Premier Su Tseng-chang says lowering the voting age from 20 to 18 is “an inevitable next step” for Taiwan. Su was speaking at the legislature on Friday as lawmakers continue to debate potential amendments to Taiwan’s constitution.
Ruling party lawmaker Ker Chien-ming says the legislature still has not reached a consensus on lowering the voting age. In order to clear the legislature, constitutional amendments need the support of at least three-quarters of lawmakers. In addition, the vote is valid only if at least three-quarters of lawmakers are present.
Because of that, any amendment to lower the voting age would need the backing of the ruling DPP and Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, in order to pass.
Premier Su Tseng-chang is calling on Taiwan’s political parties to support the move to lower the voting age as soon as possible. His party, the DPP, wants the legislature to vote on the amendment before the end of the month. That way, the government will be able to put the amendment to a popular vote in a referendum at the end of the year.
Su says lowering the voting age is supported by a majority of Taiwanese voters. He says the move would encourage young people to take part in public affairs and help Taiwan keep pace with countries where the voting age is already 18.