The government intends to lower the voting age to 16, allowing 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds to participate in the next general election. This change is part of a broader Elections Bill aimed at enhancing electoral processes. Current voting ages differ across the UK; 16 is already permissible in some regions. The change represents a significant shift in the electorate landscape since 1969. The proposal includes expanding voter ID requirements and promoting automatic registration while enhancing regulations on political donations against foreign interference.
Around 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds would be able to vote at the next general election, under government plans to lower the voting age.
The minimum voting age is already 16 for local council elections in Scotland and Wales and elections to the Senedd and Scottish Parliament.
Lowering the voting age to 16 across the UK would be the biggest change to the electorate since it was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1969.
At 16, a young person can work, they pay taxes, they can join the Army. So there's no reason why from that age, they shouldn't have a say in who governs our country.
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