Can i vote at 16?

It depends where you live and which election it is. In Scotland and Wales, 16 and 17 year olds can already vote in elections to their parliaments and in local council elections. For UK general elections the voting age is 18. A bill to lower it to 16 had passed the Commons and was before the Lords in October 2026.

Scotland first let 16 and 17 year olds vote in the 2014 independence referendum. It then lowered the age for Scottish Parliament and council elections from 2016. Wales did the same for Senedd elections from 2021 and council elections from 2022. So in Scotland and Wales, a 16 year old can vote for their MSP or Senedd member but not their MP. Northern Ireland has not lowered its voting age.

For UK general elections, English local elections and Northern Ireland elections, you must be 18 on polling day. The Representation of the People Bill, introduced in February 2026, would lower the voting age to 16 for UK general elections. It had passed the House of Commons and was in the House of Lords in October 2026.

You can register to vote from 16 in England and Northern Ireland, and from 14 in Scotland and Wales. That way you are ready in time. Supporters say 16 year olds can work, pay tax and join the army, so they should vote. Opponents say 18 is the age of adulthood and most other countries use it.