UK Voting Age Lowered to 16 as of Next General Election

In a recently distributed press release, the UK Government announced that 16- and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in the next general election, which is likely to be held in 2029.

The change in voting law comes from the UK Government’s stated aim of improving engagement in the democratic process and is included as part of a new Elections Bill alongside other changes, such as an extension of the recently introduced voter ID to include bank cards as accepted forms of ID.

This will bring the UK voting age in line with Scotland, where 16- and 17-year-olds have been able to vote in Scottish elections since 2014.

Children in Scotland welcomes this change which has come after extensive campaigning: read a blog from Changing our World member Ellie about her thoughts on the subject.

Additionally, the Scottish Youth Voice Network, facilitated by Children in Scotland, recently released a report detailing how young people in Scotland can participate in democracy which included calls to lower the voting age, with one member saying: “Votes at 16 helps make democracy real for young people. It stops being just an idea that other and older people deal with.”

Another Youth Voice Network member said: "Even if you would consider that a 16 year old is not a fully developed adult, 16- and 17- year-olds will turn 18 plus over a five-year parliamentary term. It makes sense then that they should have their say at the start of a government’s term.”

In response to the proposed change in voter age, Children in Scotland CEO Dr Judith Turbyne said:

“The Youth Voice Network are passionate about 16- and 17-year-olds being able to vote, pointing out that they are already playing a responsible role in society and that they are willing and able to contribute at the ballot box.

“Since 2014, young people of that age have been able to vote in Scottish and local elections, as well as in the independence referendum, and I am delighted at the thought that this will be extended to UK elections. It is not only a chance to hear their voices, but also hopefully to engage them in the democratic process for the longer term.”