AN OVERWHELMING majority of AMs have backed plans to enable 16 and 17 year olds to vote in National Assembly elections.

Last week (9 Oct) Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths united with Labour colleagues in supporting the lowering of the voting age to 16, in elections to the National Assembly.

The franchise will be extended in time for the next election to the Senedd in 2021.

Lesley Griffiths AM said: “Welsh Labour has been campaigning on this issue for a long time so I am pleased 16 and 17 year olds in Wrexham across Wales will now be able to have their say on who represents them in the Senedd.”

“Education is key and additional details will have to be determined but I believe it is important young people’s voices are heard.”

Although the passage of the bill through the Assembly is not at its final stage, the vote last week was a key part of the process.

Ms Griffiths also voted along with other Assembly Members to allow foreign nationals legally residing in Wales the vote in Assembly elections.