PA Ministers to Introduce Bill Extending Voting Rights to 16 and 17-Year-Olds by 2029

PA Ministers have announced plans to introduce a Bill that will extend the right to vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, with the legislation expected to be in place before the next general election in 2029. This move aims to bring the UK in line with Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds can already vote in local government and parliamentary elections. However, the legislation will not be in place before the next Northern Ireland Assembly and local government elections in 2027.

Key Takeaways:

• The Bill will extend the right to vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, making them eligible to participate in general elections and other non-devolved elections in the UK.
• The legislation is expected to be in place before the next general election in 2029, but not the next Northern Ireland Assembly and local government elections in 2027.
• PA Ministers have confirmed that the franchise change will include all non-devolved elections across the UK, including elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and local government elections in Northern Ireland.
• The SDLP, led by Claire Hanna, welcomes the confirmation that 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in the next general election, but emphasizes that voting rights should be changed at all levels.
• The Alliance Party has called for the legislation to be implemented by 2027, stating that any further delay is unacceptable.

Statistics:

• 16-year-olds will be able to vote for the first time in the next general election in 2029.
• The legislation is expected to affect approximately 1.8 million 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK.
• The UK will be in line with Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds have been able to vote in local government and parliamentary elections since 2013.

Sources:

• Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• BBC
• The Irish News
• PA News Agency
• SDLP press release
• Alliance Party press release