Hessen rejects lowering voting age to 16, defying national trend
**News** **Volker Watschounek** **0FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramPinterestShare**### *Hessen rejects lowering voting age to 16. Activists call it stagnation, the state government calls it common sense.*
The Hessian state parliament has decided: **The voting age for local elections remains at 18**. By rejecting the bill (Drs. 21/2037), Hessen is sending a signal - but a signal against increased youth participation.
**NRW takes the lead, Hessen hits the brakes**
Just one day after North Rhine-Westphalia's push to lower the voting age to 16 for state elections, with a broad coalition of CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP supporting it, Hessen shows the opposite stance. **The same CDU that promotes the voting right at 16 in NRW blocks it in Wiesbaden even for the local level**.
**Sharp criticism from democracy activists**
*"This is a democratic policy confession",* comments **Matthias Klarebach** from *Mehr Demokratie Hessen*. For him, it's clear: If you take young people seriously, you must also give them responsibility. Instead, the government prevents their political participation and sticks to the status quo.
**Hessen in the minority**
Only five federal states still allow young people to vote in local elections only from the age of 18. Hessen is one of them - and is increasingly isolating itself. While other states are opening up opportunities for participation, Hessen remains a place where young people continue to wait.
Source: Statista
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