7 Oct 2020
MAKE IT 16 INC v ATTORNEY-GENERAL [2020] NZHC 2630
- Citation
- [2020] 3 NZLR 481
- Court
- High Court
The voting age provisions that fix the minimum voting age at 18 are prima facie inconsistent with s19 BORA in that they discriminate by age against 16 and 17 year olds, but that difference is a justified limit under s5 BORA because restricting the franchise to adults at 18 serves the important objective of enfranchising adults, the 18-year threshold is rationally connected to that objective, it impairs the s19 right no more than reasonably necessary within a range of reasonable alternatives, and is proportionate given democratic judgment and international practice; accordingly a declaration o…