The Assembly has passed a motion calling for the introduction of legislation lowering the voting age to 16, despite opposition from the DUP.
Sixteen and 17-year-olds in England and Wales can vote in Assembly and local elections.
In 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron gave Scottish ministers powers to set a separate voting age and franchise for elections and Wales followed shortly after.
However, the British government retains the power to make the required legislative change in Northern Ireland.
Evidence suggests the age group have a higher voting turnout compared to those aged 18 to 24.
“Every day in this chamber we make decisions that affect the lives of young people, all without a direct role in playing their part in this change,” Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker said.
“At 16 you can start work make your own decision on education, pay tax, national insurance to name a few. The notion they aren’t mature or able enough to play a role in the democratic process is nonsense.”
Alliance MLA Sian Mullholland tabled an amendment combining the proposed change with the introduction of civic education in all schools to foster critical thinking and the issues that affect society.
DUP MLA Brian Kingston argued that throughout the world voting rights are reserved for adulthood, and 18 is the internationally recognised age of adulthood when young people can get a mortgage, serve on a jury or buy alcohol.
He also raised concerns that the change in age would “put schools into the front line of party political campaigning”.
“Focus in schools should be in education and broadening of the mind not on vote capturing,” he said. “There would be would be potential temptation for some teachers to become election campaigners.”
The motion was supported by the UUP, SDLP and People Before Profit.
The Labour Party have committed to extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in their manifesto, however it is unclear whether this will apply across the UK
