Teenagers could get vote from 16 - but only in Wales

The move raises the prospect of border communities being split – with younger teenagers in Wales going to the ballot box while those in Shropshire being barred until they are 18. The new rules would not apply to general elections.

Swimming pools, supermarkets and train stations in Mid Wales could become alternative polling stations in an attempt to modernise voting.

Politicians on the Wales-Shropshire border today welcomed the proposals.

Mayor of Welshpool ,Councillor Steve Kaye, said: "There are certain things that we need to get the views of young people on anyway – this is why we have a youth council.

"They give us very, very well balanced opinions so I think it's only fair that 16 and 17-year-olds get to vote on their future."

Welshpool Town Council works closely with the youth council at Welshpool High School to get opinions on everything from entertainment to highways.

In 2014 more than 100,000 Scottish teenagers voted in the independence referendum after the vote was extended to 16 and 17-year-olds.

Jess Blair, director of the Electoral Reform Society Cymru, said: "The time is right to have this conversation on how we do things differently when it comes to voting and engaging people around politics.

"This consultation on electoral reform is a welcome step forward and covers a huge amount of things that we believe could genuinely improve the way politics works in Wales.

"The inclusion of votes at 16 in this debate is about what kind of democracy we want to be – one which engages our young people in their futures, and secures a fair franchise.

The proposals are going out to consultation for 12 weeks before a decision is made.

Powys County Councillor for Newtown East, Councillor Joy Jones said she isn't convinced young people will make the most of the opportunity if it is passed.

"I think young people would like to have the opportunity to vote because its their future," she said. "But I think initially, yes they will vote, but once the dust settles I'm not so sure.

"There's a poor take up on voting all around the country but people still complain they aren't being listened to. If everyone gets out to vote then it is fair."

Foreign citizens who normally live in Wales could also be given the right to vote in council polls and plans to bring in proportional representation are also being considered.

Councillor Graham Breeze, who represents Welshpool on the county council said while he supports the idea, it is likely to cause controversy.

"I think it's a brilliant idea," he said. "I'm fully in support of it because today youngsters have a far greater understanding of the political scene than I did when I was that age.

"They deserve to have a say but I know this has been discussed before and not everyone is in favour of it."

As well as increasing the types of venues people are able to vote at, the reforms also include remote electronic voting, and polling could be held on any day of the week, not just Thursday.