Overview

This bill proposes to lower the voting age in the United Kingdom from 18 to 16 for all elections and referendums.

Description

The Voting Age (Comprehensive Reduction) Bill aims to amend existing legislation, specifically the Representation of the People Acts of 1983 and 1985. The key change is reducing the minimum voting age from 18 to 16. This applies to:

• Parliamentary elections
• Local government elections
• Referendums
• Overseas electors

The bill specifies that these changes would come into effect on January 1st, 2014, and apply across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The cost would likely relate to updating voter registration systems and potentially public information campaigns to inform 16- and 17-year-olds of their new right to vote. No figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

The bill would primarily affect:

• 16 and 17-year-olds: They would gain the right to vote in all elections and referendums.
• Political parties: They would need to adapt their campaigning strategies to engage with a wider electorate.
• Electoral commissions: They would need to manage the registration and voting processes for a larger pool of voters.

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