Overview

• The Labour government formally unveiled a bill on July 17 to reduce the voting age from 18 to 16 for all UK elections.
• Enfranchising approximately 1.5 million 16- and 17-year-olds will align national voting rights with those already in place in Scotland and Wales.
• The legislation proposes simplifying voter ID requirements and expanding online registration to modernise access.
• It includes stricter limits on foreign party donations and tougher penalties for intimidation and harassment of candidates.
• Ministers expect the bill to pass easily with their 399-seat Commons majority before implementation ahead of the next general election.