US Edition
UK Lowers Voting Age to 16 Ahead of Next General Elections
UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 21 – The UK will enfranchise about 1.6 million new voters aged 16 and 17, aiming to increase participation and protect democracy from foreign interference, officials said.
- The UK government will lower the voting age to 16 before the next general election, due by 2029, the government said.
- Last year's record-low turnout of 59.7%, the lowest since 2001, prompted the government to lower the voting age to 16 in time for the next election.
- To bolster integrity, the government plans to tighten donation rules, including checks on contributions over £500, to prevent foreign interference.
- The changes will add 1.5 million new young voters, but critics argue it could benefit Labour as young people are more likely to vote for left-leaning parties.
- Researchers warn Labour's youth vote may be chipped away by Greens, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK with overall impact likely negligible, cautioning future electoral challenges for Labour.
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379 Articles
Elora Fergus Today
Oakville NewsCanada should follow U.K.'s move to lower voting age to 16, says senator
OTTAWA — Now that the British government has vowed to lower its voting age to 16 by the next general election, one Canadian senator says it's past time for Canada to do the same. The U.K.
Newcastle Herald
Why Australia should follow Britain and lower the voting age
Britain lowers voting age to 16. Should Australia follow suit? Explore debates and insights.
The Conversation
sydneysun.comShould Australia lower the voting age to 16 like the UK? We asked 5 experts
The government in the UK is introducing legislation into parliament to lower the voting age to 16. If passed, the new age rules will be in place for the next general election, expected around 2029. Should Australia follow suit? We asked five experts. Pandanus Petter's employment is funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant. Faith Gordon receives funding from the Australian Research Council. Jill Sheppard receives funding from the …
The next selection will include 16- and 17-year-olds. The British government speculates that young people will vote on the left, but the innovation could also prove to be a boomerang for Labour.
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