The British government announced on Thursday that before the next parliamentary election the voting age would be reduced to 16 years throughout the country. As it reminds me The Guardian, this is 1 of the key demands of the Labour Party, which took over last year.
One of the main reasons for this change is the low voter turnout – in the elections to the home of Commons in 2024 it was only 59.7%, which is the worst consequence since 2001, erstwhile 59.4% of citizens went to the polls.
The government argues that 16- and 17-year-olds should have the right to vote, since many of them are already working professionally or serving in the armed forces and should so besides have an influence on the direction of state policy. It is besides noted that young voters of this age already have the right to vote in local elections in Scotland and Wales.
Millions of fresh voices
However, the planned changes are not only limited to lowering the electoral age, but the improvement package besides implies facilitating the voting process itself. Among another things, it is possible to confirm identity in polling stations through bank cards and digital documents, specified as electronic driving licence or veteran card.
The government besides intends to increase the number of persons entered in the electoral register. Although it has not been decided to full introduce automatic registration, a more automated strategy is planned to reduce the request for multiple administration of the same data in different offices.
According to estimates from the British electoral commission, the introduction of automatic voter registration could increase their number by about 8 million people. According to experts, an additional 1.5 million fresh voters would join the electorate as a consequence of the planned simplification in the election age to 16 years.
Safe elections
The British government besides announces a tightening of the rules aimed at securing the electoral process against abroad interference and abuse against candidates. 1 of the main objectives of the improvement is to close the legal gaps that have so far allowed abroad funds to influence the national political scene. The planned changes besides supply for stricter regulations on political donations. The parties will be required to check more closely the companies from which they receive funds – according to the fresh criteria they must show actual links with Britain or Ireland.
