Overview

• The CDU, SPD, Greens and FDP jointly filed a constitutional amendment in the NRW Landtag to lower the voting age for state elections to 16.
• Supporters say the four parties command the required two-thirds majority, marking a stronger third attempt after failed bids in 2016 and 2020.
• If passed in time, 16- and 17-year-olds could vote in the 2027 state election, adding about 300,000 voters and lifting the electorate to roughly 13.1 million.
• The AfD stands alone in opposition, citing doubts about minors’ political maturity and conflicts with other legal age thresholds.
• NRW would align with several states that already allow voting from 16, and 16-year-olds can already vote in NRW municipal elections and in the 2024 European election.