Overview

This bill proposes to lower the voting age for referendums in the United Kingdom to 16 years old. Currently, only those 18 and over can vote in referendums. This bill seeks to amend existing legislation to include 16 and 17-year-olds in the referendum franchise.

Description

The Referendums (Franchise) Bill aims to amend the Representation of the People Act 1983. It adds a new section (2A) to include 16 and 17-year-olds in the referendum voting process. To achieve this, the Secretary of State will create a new register specifically for 16 and 17-year-olds, in addition to the existing local government elector register. Eligibility will require registration on one of these registers, lack of legal incapacity to vote (excluding age), and being a Commonwealth citizen, Irish citizen, or a relevant EU citizen.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated but will likely involve costs associated with creating and maintaining a new register of 16 and 17-year-old voters. The exact financial implications would need further investigation and would likely depend on the methodology used to create the new register.

Groups Affected

The bill directly affects:

• 16 and 17-year-olds: They would gain the right to vote in referendums.
• Government Agencies: The bill would require the Secretary of State and relevant government agencies to create and maintain a new voter register for this age group, entailing administrative costs and responsibilities.
• Electoral Commission: The Electoral Commission would likely be involved in overseeing the new registration process and ensuring the integrity of the referendum.

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