UK to Lower Voting Age to 16 in Major Shake-Up to “Modernise Democracy”

The UK is about to get a younger electorate. The Labour government announced on Thursday it plans to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 — a move that would put Britain among the countries with the youngest legal voters worldwide.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following through on a campaign promise, says it’s time to bring voting rights in line with the real lives of young people.

“I think it’s really important that 16- and 17-year-olds have the vote, because they are old enough to go out to work, they are old enough to pay taxes, so [they] pay in,” Starmer said. “I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go.”

The plan will need to pass through Parliament — where Labour holds a solid majority — but the outcome looks all but certain. If passed, it would give about 1.6 million 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in general elections.

Bringing Everyone Under One Roof

The proposed change will unify voting laws across the UK. Right now, 16-year-olds can vote in Scottish and Welsh parliamentary and local elections — but not in general elections. This law would finally align those rules across the country.

Most countries still set the voting age at 18, though some — like Austria, Argentina, and Brazil — allow 16-year-olds to vote in national elections. In the EU, countries like Belgium and Germany allow them to vote in European Parliament elections but not in national ones.

More Reforms Coming

The voting age isn’t the only thing the government is changing. Labour says it wants to make voting more accessible and trustworthy. That means two things: automatic voter registration and making UK-issued bank cards a valid form of ID at polling stations.

These moves are also a direct response to the controversial voter ID rules brought in by the previous Conservative government. That requirement reportedly blocked around 750,000 people from voting in the 2024 election — which had the lowest turnout in decades at just under 60%.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said it’s time to rebuild trust.

“For too long, public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline,” she said. “We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy.”

Not Everyone’s On Board

The opposition isn’t exactly thrilled. Conservative MP Paul Holmes slammed the voting age decision as “hopelessly confusing.”

“Why does this Government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting in?” he said during a debate in Parliament.

But outside Westminster, some are welcoming the shift.