Overview

This bill proposes lowering the voting age in the UK from 18 to 16 for all elections, including parliamentary and local government elections. It aims to extend the franchise to a larger segment of the population.

Description

The Voting Age (Reduction) Bill seeks to amend existing legislation, specifically the Representation of the People Acts 1983 and 1985. The key change is substituting "16" for "18" in sections defining parliamentary and local government electors. This means that all UK citizens aged 16 and over would be granted the right to vote in all UK elections.

The bill's geographical scope extends to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It includes a commencement clause stipulating that the voting age reduction would come into effect two months after the bill receives Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any changes to government spending. The costs associated with the expansion of the franchise (e.g., voter registration, information campaigns) are likely to be minimal compared to the overall government budget.

Groups Affected

The bill directly affects 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK, granting them the right to vote. Political parties and election authorities would also be affected, needing to adapt to the inclusion of this new electorate. The impact on election outcomes is potentially significant, though unpredictable.

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