Teens at the Ballot Box: The United Kingdom Lowers the Voting Age to 16

In July 2025, the United Kingdom approved a change to lower the national voting age from 18 to 16, set to take effect before the next general election. The decision will give roughly 1.6 million teenagers the right to vote in all UK elections, a shift that supporters say will invigorate democracy and critics warn could undermine it. 

Voting age debates have a long history in the UK and abroad. In 1969, Britain became one of the first countries to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, setting a precedent for broader suffrage. Calls to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds have gained traction over the past two decades, bolstered by Scotland’s decision to lower the voting age for its 2014 independence referendum, an event where turnout among 16- and 17-year-olds exceeded that of voters aged 18–24. 

The Current Proposal

The new policy:

• Lowers the voting age from 18 to 16 for all UK general and local elections, as well as devolved government elections (such as those for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament, and Northern Ireland Assembly).
• Enfranchises an estimated 1.6 million additional citizens.
• Applies uniformly across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Will be in place by the next general election, likely by 2029. 

Supporters of lowering the voting age to 16 emphasize that involving young people in elections could foster long-term civic engagement and boost overall turnout, particularly when voting is tied to issues that affect them directly, such as education, climate policy, or housing. Advocates also note that young people already contribute to society through work, taxes, and/or military service. However, critics counter that younger teens may lack the maturity and life experience necessary to make informed choices in national elections, raising concerns about voting competence and the quality of civic participation. Some also view the reform as politically strategic, potentially favoring parties that resonate with younger voters. They worry that expanding the electorate alone won’t guarantee a more knowledgeable or engaged democratic citizenry.  

In the classroom, this reform can serve as a springboard for discussion about youth participation in democracy. As a teacher, you might begin by asking students how lowering the voting age could reshape elections. Would it amplify young people’s concerns about certain issues? Would politicians change their campaign strategies if 16- and 17-year-olds could vote? Students could explore arguments on both sides: the potential for increased civic engagement and long-term voting habits versus concerns about maturity, political influence, and informed decision-making. Structured debates, simulations, or small-group discussions can encourage students to critically examine how a shift in the voting age might affect voter turnout, representation, and the overall health of democracy in the United States.