Wahlalter

Wahlalter is the legal minimum age at which a person may vote in elections and related political processes within a given jurisdiction. The term is derived from German, with Wahl meaning election and Alter meaning age. The specific age designated as the Wahlalter varies between countries and, in some systems, between different types of elections or referenda.

In many democracies, the standard Wahlalter for national elections is 18 years. However, some jurisdictions permit younger voters under certain conditions, such as voting in local or regional elections, or in referenda, or allowing 17- or even 16-year-olds to participate in specific ballots. Other systems may require that voting rights be withheld until a person reaches 18, or they may impose additional criteria like residency or registration requirements.

The Wahlalter is established by constitutional provisions or statutory law and is typically determined by comparing the voter’s date of birth to the election date. Changes to the Wahlalter reflect ongoing debates about youth political participation, civic education, and the balance between maturity and responsibility in voting. Advocates for lowering the Wahlalter argue that earlier participation strengthens democracy and fosters long-term engagement, while opponents express concerns about maturity, susceptibility to influence, and potential effects on turnout.

See also: Voting age, suffrage, electoral law, youth participation.