MK (Shas) Yaakov Margi would like to lower voting age from 18 to 17, introducing a bill to that nature. Margi explains to his fellow lawmakers that the low voter turnout in the last elections has prompted him to introduce the bill. He feels younger Israelis are more interested in politics and by lowering voter age by a year, many more voters will participate in elections.

If passed into law, the new reality would likely be beneficial for chareidi parties as traditionally, chareidi turnout in elections if far higher than the national average. In addition, if instructed to vote by roshei yeshivos, the 17-year-olds in the chareidi and religious communities are likely to respond.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)