16 year olds will be able to vote in the next general election
The UK government has announced that 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in the next general election in the United Kingdom.
In plans published on Thursday 17 July, the government announced a number of reforms to the UK electoral system, including extending the right to vote to young people who are already able to work, serve in the military, and pay taxes.
Voter ID rules will also be changed to make it easier for people to vote by allowing voters to use their UK-issued bank card as a form of acceptable identification at the polling both.
The UK Veteran Card and digital driving licence, which will be made available through the government’s GOV.UK Wallet app later this year, will also be accepted as identification for voting.
Voter registration systems will also receive automation improvements, making it easier for people to register to vote in elections.
In addition to extending voting to younger people and making voting easier, the government is cracking down on foreign lobbying of UK political parties.
The plans close loopholes that allow shell companies to influence political parties and impose new requirements on unincorporated associations, with mandatory checks on donations over £500 to protect UK democracy.
Those who breach political finance rules will face heavier fines of up to £500,000 and tougher sentences.
“For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline,” said Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
“We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give sixteen year olds the right to vote.”
“We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future,” Rayner said.
