Lithuanian parliament rejects constitutional amendment to lower local voting age to 16

The Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have granted 16-year-olds the right to vote in municipal elections, effectively ending further debate on the issue, LRT reports.

The amendment failed its first reading, receiving support from only 84 of the 141 lawmakers—10 votes short of the 94 required for passage. Thirteen MPs voted against the proposal, while 14 abstained. Under Lithuanian law, constitutional changes must pass two separate votes with a three-month interval, each requiring at least 94 votes in favor.

Current constitutional provisions limit voting rights in Lithuania to citizens aged 18 and older. Proponents of the amendment, including Social Democrat Tomas Martinaitis, argued that lowering the voting age would encourage youth political engagement, strengthen democratic participation, and help address demographic challenges by fostering local community ties.

However, the parliament’s Legal Department criticized the proposal, citing inconsistencies with existing legal frameworks. Lithuanian law, including the Constitution and Civil Code, defines full legal capacity at 18. The Constitutional Court has also emphasized that elections are a serious political process, and constitutional stability should only be altered when absolutely necessary.

A similar initiative was registered in the previous parliamentary term by liberal MP Andrius Bagdonas but never reached a vote. Municipal elections in Lithuania are next scheduled for spring 2027.