A Bill to make provision extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds; to make provision about the registration of voters; to make provision about the administration and conduct of elections, referendums and recall petitions; to make provision about election agents’ addresses; to make provision about political expenditure and political donations; to make provision about information to be included in electronic campaigning material; to make provision about offences and civil sanctions in connection with elections, referendums and recall petitions and with donations and expenditure for political purposes; to make provision about the disclosure of information by the Electoral Commission; to make provision about the disqualification of offenders for holding elective offices, and their sentencing, where offences are aggravated by hostility towards persons involved in elections, referendums or recall petitions or holders of such offices; and for connected purposes.
This bill would extend the right to vote to 16 and 17-year-olds and introduce broad reforms to how elections, referendums and recall petitions are run. It covers voter registration, the administration of elections, rules on political spending and donations, rules for electronic campaigning material, penalties for election offences, and information disclosure by the Electoral Commission.
Currently at the second reading in the House of Commons. The bill would move on to committee and further readings if it progresses.
Generated 21 February 2026
This is a public bill presented to Parliament by the Government.
The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons and given its First Reading on Thursday 12 February 2026. This stage is formal and takes place without any debate.
What happens next?
MPs will next consider the Bill at Second Reading on Monday 2 March 2026.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.