Voting Age (Reduction) Bill [HL]

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

Originating House

House of Lords

Last Updated

10 September 2019

In Plain English

AI-generated

This Bill would lower the voting age to 16, letting all citizens aged 16 or older vote in parliamentary elections and other elections. It is being debated in the House of Lords and is at its 2nd Reading, an early stage of consideration.

Key Points

Extends the franchise to citizens aged 16 and over for parliamentary and other elections.
Specifically enfranchises 16- and 17-year-olds.
Would require changes to existing electoral laws to implement the new age limit.
Currently in the House of Lords at the 2nd Reading; if it progresses, it would move to committee stage in the Lords and then on to the Commons.
Applies to elections defined in the Bill, subject to any future legal changes that follow high-level principles of extending voting rights.

Progress

The Bill is in the Lords at the 2nd Reading. If it moves forward, the next steps would be Lords committee stage, then reports and readings before potentially being sent to the Commons.

Who is affected?

16- and 17-year-olds who would gain the right to voteOther citizens aged 16 and over who are eligible to vote under UK electoral rules (e.g., British, Irish, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens living in the UK)

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Voting Age (Reduction)

1 Jan 1970

First reading took place on 5 July. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.

The 2017-2019 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

HL Bill 35 (as introduced)

BillLords

5 Jul 2017

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.