Overview

• The draft Electoral Bill, unveiled in mid-July, is entering Parliament for debate and aims to be enacted before the 2029 general election.
• It extends voting rights to all 16- and 17-year-olds, building on similar policies already in place in Scotland and Wales.
• Voter registration would become automatic through data sharing between government agencies, with an opt-out option for eligible citizens.
• Acceptable identification is broadened to cover UK-issued bank cards and digital ID formats, addressing past barriers that left roughly 750,000 people unable to vote.
• New donation rules impose fines up to £500,000 and tighter scrutiny of donors to strengthen electoral integrity and guard against foreign interference.