Graubünden vote could make it second canton with voting at 16

Voters in the canton of Graubünden will decide on September 27 whether 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote and take part in elections at cantonal level, SRF reported. The proposal would not allow them to stand for office, which would remain restricted to people aged 18 and over.

The voting age is currently 18 in Graubünden, as in almost all other Swiss cantons. If approved, the constitutional amendment could give around 3,000 young people the right to participate from 2027. The measure would apply only to cantonal votes and elections. Municipalities would retain authority over voting rights at local level.

Previous attempts to introduce voting rights at 16 in Graubünden failed when the cantonal parliament rejected proposals in 2007 and 2009. The latest proposal was submitted by Gian Andris Derungs, a cantonal parliamentarian from The Centre party, at the request of the Graubünden Youth Session. Both the cantonal government and parliament recommend approval.

Opposition in parliament came largely from the Swiss People’s Party. Critics argue that 16-year-olds lack the necessary political maturity and could be more vulnerable to influence, including through social media. They also object to separating the voting age from the age of civil and legal adulthood.

Supporters say the proposal would allow young people to help shape society earlier and counter its ageing population. They describe a possible increase in voter turnout as a desirable side effect.

Glarus has been the only Swiss canton with voting rights at 16 for nearly 20 years. Similar proposals have failed in several other cantons. Voters in Lucerne rejected an initiative by almost 80 percent last year, while a proposal also failed in Aargau in 2024. In Basel-Stadt, the government and the responsible committee have approved a proposal, which must now be considered by the cantonal parliament.