Reuters
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The UK government said Thursday it planned to grant children, ages 16 and 17, the right to vote in all UK elections in a massive overhaul of the country’s democratic system.
The government said the proposed changes targeted for parliamentary approval are taking place across the UK to match voter rights to Scotland and Wales, with younger voters taking part in already delegated elections.
“We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that ensure that more people have an opportunity to engage in UK democracy,” Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said in a statement.
According to a report from Congress, voter turnout in the 2024 general election was 59.7%, the lowest general election since 2001.
According to the House Library, studies from countries that reduced the voting age to 16 have not affected election outcomes, indicating that 16-year-olds are more likely to vote than those who first qualified at 18.
Workers who were elected for landslides a year ago and whose popularity fell sharply in the government, said that if they were elected, they would lower the voting age.
The reform will also expand acceptable voter IDs to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, such as driver’s licenses and veteran cards.
To tackle foreign interference, the government also said it plans to tighten rules on political contributions, including checking donations of more than £500 ($670) from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies.
