More than 60 per cent of young people in Victoria want the voting age lowered to 16, according to a survey by the Greens.
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The 1058 young people surveyed were asked for their thoughts on politics and the issues that mattered most to them ahead of the local council elections this month.
More than 60 per cent of respondents said they would like to see the voting age lowered so that 16 and 17-year-olds can participate in local, state and federal elections.
About 85 per cent cited voting as the most important way to engage in politics, though a quarter didn't know the local council elections were coming up.
Only a third were certain they could vote for a councillor who represented them.
Climate change was the most important issue to those surveyed (85 per cent), followed by justice for Indigenous people (40 per cent) and health and wellbeing services (32 per cent)
Victorian Greens MP Sam Hibbins said young people are more concerned about their futures than ever.
"The COVID-19 crisis has made clear that young people care about their futures, and they deserve to have a say come election day," he told AAP.
"Climate change, First Nations justice and services for health and wellbeing are just some of the issues that young people are raising. They are engaging in our democracy and demanding change."
Mr Hibbins said with a local election coming up in Victoria, the state government should rethink its opposition to young people having their voices heard in politics.
Earlier this year the state government voted down a historic amendment by the Greens which would have meant the voting age is lowered to 16 for local elections.
A similar bill was introduced in the federal senate in 2018 by Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, then aged 23.
Austria, Brazil, Cuba, Malta, Nicaragua, Norway and Scotland are among countries that have lowered the voting age to 16.
Angelica Panopoulos is running for the Greens in the Moreland City Council northwest ward.
The 21-year-old said it was important young people have a seat at the table.
"We need more young people represented in all levels of government because it is us that will either prosper or suffer through the actions or inactions of those in charge," she told AAP.
"It's our future that's at stake - why shouldn't we determine it?"
Voting in Victoria's local council elections is compulsory and closes on October 23, the Grand Final Eve public holiday.
Australian Associated Press
