UK plans to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds in sweeping electoral reform.
The British government has announced plans to lower the voting age to 16 for general elections, a significant electoral reform that would make the UK one of the few countries globally with such a low voting threshold.
The move, promised by the ruling Labour Party before coming to power, is part of broader efforts to modernise the democratic system and improve voter participation, especially among younger demographics. The change will require new legislation to be passed in Parliament, where the government holds a comfortable majority.
Supporters say the reform acknowledges the role young people already play in society, through work and taxes and gives them a rightful say in national decisions. It also aligns voting rights with regional elections in Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds are already eligible to vote.
The electoral reform package also includes proposals to introduce automated voter registration and expand accepted forms of voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards, measures aimed at reducing voter suppression and making participation easier.
Critics have raised concerns over the reform, suggesting it could politically benefit the Labour Party. However, policy experts argue that the changes could add nearly 9.5 million people to the electoral roll and reverse declining voter turnout.
This marks the biggest overhaul of the UK’s electoral system since 1969, when the voting age was first lowered from 21 to 18.
About the Author
