---
title: "UK to lower voting age to 16 in landmark electoral reform"
description: "LONDON, July 17 (Reuters) - The British government said on Thursday it planned to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections in a major overhaul of the country's democratic system."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-17-uk-to-lower-voting-age-to-16-in-landmark-electoral-reform/"
published: "2025-07-17T13:28:38"
updated: "2025-07-17T13:29:42"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 227
---

# UK to lower voting age to 16 in landmark electoral reform

> LONDON, July 17 (Reuters) - The British government said on Thursday it planned to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections in a major overhaul of the country's democratic system.

By Reuters · Published 17 July 2025, 15:28 SAST · Updated 17 July 2025, 15:29 SAST

## Key points
- In a bid to revamp the UK's democracy and coax the youth into the voting booth, the government is proposing to lower the voting age to 16 while also throwing in some voter ID upgrades, because nothing says "we care" like making it easier for teenagers to flex their electoral muscles—just in time for Labour to regain some of that lost sparkle.
- Proposed changes aim to align UK voting rights with Scotland and Wales, allowing younger voters to participate in elections.
- Deputy PM Angela Rayner emphasizes breaking down barriers to enhance democratic engagement.
- Recent reports show a concerning 59.7% turnout in the 2024 general election, the lowest since 2001.
- Reforms include expanding acceptable voter ID and tightening rules on political donations to combat foreign interference.

## Content

The government said the proposed changes, which are subject to parliament approvals, would align voting rights across the UK with Scotland and Wales, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections.

"We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy," Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said in a statement.

Turnout at the 2024 general election was 59.7%, the lowest at a general election since 2001, according to a parliamentary report.

According to the House of Commons library, research from countries that have lowered the voting age to 16 shows it has had no impact on election outcomes, and that 16-year-olds were more likely to vote than those first eligible at 18.

Labour, whose popularity has fallen sharply in government after being elected by a landslide a year ago, had said it would lower the voting age if elected.

The reforms would also expand acceptable voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, such as driving licences and Veteran Cards.

To tackle foreign interference, the government said it also planned to tighten rules on political donations, including checks on contributions over 500 pounds ($670) from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies.

($1 = 0.7462 pounds)

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Muvija M; Editing by Kate Holton)