PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(2 July 2025)

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of time required to ensure adequate levels of (a) awareness and (b) voter registration ahead of a General Election in which 16 year olds vote.

Asked by:
Dr Ellie Chowns (Green Party)

The government believes that enabling 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in all UK elections will foster early and sustained participation in civic life and enhance engagement in our democratic processes. We want young people to find their voice and exercise their right to vote. Registering to vote is a vital first step towards doing that.

This will be a major change to the electoral franchise, and changes to electoral law of this magnitude require careful planning and should not be rushed. We have taken time to engage with stakeholders in the electoral sector, devolved and local government, education, civil society - and importantly, with young people themselves. We will continue this engagement to ensure the change is implemented successfully.

Answered by:
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