Argentina's Senate passes bill to lower voting age

Argentina's Senate passes bill to lower voting age
Helen Popper
Reuters
10:25 p.m. EDT, October 17, 2012

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's Senate easily approved a bill on Wednesday to lower the voting age to 16 from 18 in time for a crucial midterm election that may determine whether President Cristina Fernandez can seek a third term.

Fernandez, who backs the bill to extend voting rights, has given prominent state jobs to members of a youth group founded by her son, Maximo, and often praises young activists for their political fervor.

Many young Argentines identify with the president's defiant style and credit her unorthodox policies for a long economic boom that coincided with their entry into the labor market following a 2001-2002 financial crisis.

The vote passed by 52-3 with two abstentions and is expected to receive lower-house approval and become law next month.

Fernandez's supporters say the amendment will strengthen democracy and bring Argentina in line with nations such as Austria, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Brazil that have already extended voting rights to people as young as 16.

More:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/sns-rt-us-argentina-votebre89h03l-20121017,0,1838342.story