Voting Age (Comprehensive Reduction) Bill [HL]

A Bill to extend the franchise for parliamentary and other elections and for referendums to all citizens over the age of 16 years.

Originating House

House of Lords

Last Updated

13 June 2014

In Plain English

AI-generated

Voting Age (Comprehensive Reduction) Bill [HL] would extend the right to vote for parliamentary elections, referendums and other elections to UK citizens aged 17 and over. It is currently being considered in the House of Lords and is at the second reading stage.

Key Points

Extends the voting age to UK citizens aged 17 and over for parliamentary elections, referendums and other elections.
Would require changes to electoral law and administration to implement the new age threshold.
Originating in the House of Lords and currently at the second reading in the Lords.
To become law, the bill would need to pass through both Houses and receive Royal Assent.

Progress

The bill is at the second reading in the House of Lords. If it progresses, it would move through further stages in the Lords and then to the Commons before potential Royal Assent.

Who is affected?

UK citizens aged 17 and overYoung voters and youth groupsElectoral registration officers and local authoritiesPolitical parties and election campaigns

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Voting Age (Comprehensive Reduction)

1 Jan 1970

First reading took place on 12 June. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.

Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.

The 2014-15 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

HL Bill 023 2014-15, as introduced

BillLords

13 Jun 2014

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Voting Age (Comprehensive Reduction) Bill [HL] | TrackPolitics