Overview

• Ministers are drafting a bill to lower the voting age to 16 in England’s next general election, enfranchising about 1.5 million new voters.
• The measure fulfills a key Labour manifesto commitment under its ‘Plan for Change’ and builds on similar age extensions in Scotland and Wales.
• Proposals include fines up to £500,000 for illicit political donations and new valid ID options such as UK-issued bank and veterans’ cards.
• York City Council and other local authorities have launched targeted drives to register renters, students and first-time young electors.
• A Daily Mirror poll shows 83 percent support for lowering the voting age, underscoring widespread public approval.