Overview
- The draft Elections Bill, set to enfranchise over 1.5 million 16- and 17-year-olds at the next general election, has moved through parliament with measures on automatic registration, voter ID and tougher donation rules and now awaits final approval.
- Teacher Tapp polling of 9,626 educators shows 47% support votes at 16 but reveals a clear generational split with teachers aged 50 and above more likely to oppose the change.
- Labour’s national executive has raised its internal minimum age to 18 for constituency chairs, treasurers and secretaries, drawing accusations of hypocrisy over the party’s stance on youth maturity.
- Campaign strategists warn that engaging the newly enfranchised cohort will require culture-driven digital messaging and creative outreach tailored to 16- and 17-year-olds.
- Australian lawmakers, including MP Monique Ryan, are invoking the UK reform as momentum builds for a fresh bid to lower the voting age in Australia.