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On the positive side, he said, “if even a few people are motivated to vote at the beginning of their eligibility, it could reduce the number of uninformed 30-year-olds in the future.”

Edmonton Youth Council members argued extending the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds is the right thing to do. They want the right to vote and shouldn’t be denied that when city decisions affect their quality of life, they said.

“We’re thrilled (council will) be attaching a cover letter and endorsing our motion,” said Cameron Somerville, vice-chairman of the youth council.

“This is an opportunity to create an engaged generation,” he said, pointing to other countries that have seen higher voter turnout among voters 16 and 17 than those age 18 to 20.

Former city clerk Alayne Sinclair also offered her support, saying previous city research supports the argument that giving the vote to students while they’re still in high school could increase citizen engagement.

“If you (reach) someone early, you have them as a voter for life,” she said.

Others councillors questioned the youth council, wondering why the vote should be extended when few 16-year-olds pay taxes, why they’re limiting their request to municipal elections and if they’re also arguing the vote should be extended to non-citizens who are resident in Edmonton.

“Women didn’t ask for municipal elections first, they went broader,” said Coun. Bev Esslinger, suggesting youth have a particular interest in the provincial education system.