Voting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election in major electoral reform

The government will lower the voting age to 16 across the UK in time for the next general election, it said on Thursday.

Elections in Scotland and Wales already allow those 16 or older to vote, but this excludes voting in general elections for their local MP.

In Northern Ireland, the current voting age is 18 for all elections, including those for local councils, the Assembly, and the UK Parliament.

The pledge to lower the voting age was included in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s election manifesto, which secured him a huge majority last year.

The government says it will introduce this in time for the next general election, which is scheduled for 2029, but could be called earlier.

This new law will have to be passed by Parliament; however, as it was included in Labour’s manifesto, it should have no issues due to their majority.

How will this affect Northern Ireland?

The Electoral Commission has said that the changes will apply to elections in Northern Ireland, but they are unlikely to be in place in time for the local council and Assembly elections in 2027, according to the BBC.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said on Thursday: “I welcome the news that the British Government is to introduce votes from the age of 16 for elections. This is a step forward for democracy and will enable young people to have a say in their future.”

I welcome the news that the British Government is to introduce votes from the age of 16 for elections.

This is a step forward for democracy and will enable young people to have a say in their future.

I’ll now be contacting the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, urging him to…

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) July 17, 2025

She also confirmed she will contact the Prime Minister, “urging him to ensure that the right to vote at 16 applies to the 2027 Assembly and Council elections in the north.”

The ability to change the voting age lies solely with the UK Parliament as elections are an ‘excepted matter’.

What other changes are being introduced?

The government say it will allow UK-issued bank cards to be used as voter ID, along with veterans’ cards.

Although not moving entirely to an automatic voter registration system yet, they say they will move to an “increasingly automated system.”

There will also be tougher rules to guard against foreign political interference and abuse of candidates standing for election.