The UK government has announced plans to lower the voting age to 16 in advance of the next general election.
This change will grant voting rights to approximately 1.5 million 16- and 17-year-olds and represents the most significant adjustment to the UK electorate since the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1969, according to the BBC.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that this decision acknowledges the valuable contributions young people make to society.
“I think it’s really important that 16 and 17-year-olds have the vote. They are old enough to work, they are old enough to pay taxes—if you pay in, you should have a say in how your money is spent,” Starmer told ITV News.
The change keeps a Labour Party promise and makes UK elections match Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds can already vote in some elections.
Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali described the reform as “seismic,” noting that young people deserve a voice in shaping the future of the country.
“At 16, a young person can work, pay taxes, and join the Army. So there’s no reason why they shouldn’t have a say in who governs them,” she said.
The change will form part of a wider Elections Bill expected to include expanded voter ID options, such as UK-issued bank cards, automatic voter registration, and tighter controls on political donations to curb foreign interference.
The next UK general election is due by 2029.