16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote at the next general election!
16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote at the next general election!
Citizens UK is delighted that the voting age will be lowered across the UK, which means around 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote at the next general election.
As part of our vision of a vibrant and inclusive democracy with civil society at its heart, Citizens UK have been campaigning to unlock the democratic participation of young people. Changing the legal voting age to 16 in future General and Local Elections has been one of the key asks in our Citizens Manifesto, which was developed in the lead up to the last general election and outlines the issues communities across the country want to work on with Government.
This win will mean thousands of young people will have a say on decisions that impact them.
"I warmly welcome the news that the voting age is being lowered to 16. This is a brilliant and necessary step forward in recognising the voices and agency of young people. Just recently, we held a youth assembly attended by over 300 young people who were deeply engaged in political issues and eager to influence change in their communities.
Their passion and insight made it clear that they are more than ready to participate in shaping the future. However, we also recognise that alongside this progress, there must be a strong commitment to political education. This is something our new Youth Action Team will take a lead on to ensure that young voters are well-informed and confident in their choices will be key to making this change meaningful and effective."
Edward Badu, Citizens UK Leadership Team.
Photos from Citizens UK's 'Celebration of Democracy' Action on 11 July 2024.
Citizens UK is made up of hundreds of member organisations that are committed to taking action together for social justice and the common good. By creating diverse and long-lasting alliances of organisations in an area, Citizens UK helps community leaders to build the power they need to get a seat at the table with decision-makers and negotiate for change, as part of a stronger whole.