How will votes at 16 and changes to voter ID work?

Legislation which will let 1.7 million 16 and 17-year-olds vote at the next general election is beginning its journey through Parliament.

The Representation of the People Bill also expands acceptable forms of voter ID and introduces automatic voter registration. To become law it must be approved by both MPs and peers, which can take months.

The changes mean 16 and 17-years-olds will be able to vote in all UK elections.

The government says this will give young people a chance to have a say in how the country is run. The next general election must be held by 2029 but could be earlier.

"At 16, a young person can work, they pay taxes, they can join the Army. So there's no reason why from that age, they shouldn't have a say in who governs our country," said Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali when the measures were announced in July 2025.

It will mean the biggest change to the make-up of the electorate since voter age was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1969.

The minimum voting age is already 16 for local council elections in Scotland and Wales, as well as for elections to the Welsh Parliament and Scottish Parliament.

However, you currently need to be 18 to vote in UK parliamentary elections, local elections in England and all elections in Northern Ireland.

You will still need to be 18 to stand as a candidate.

In future, voters will be able to prove their ID with a UK-issued bank card showing their name.

Since May 2023, voters in England have been required to show valid photo ID to vote in person in UK parliamentary elections, local elections and police and crime commissioner elections.

In Scotland, voters need to show ID to vote in person for UK elections, but not Scottish Parliament or council elections.

Voters in Wales need ID to vote in person in UK elections and police and crime commissioner elections. They do not need ID for Senedd or local council elections.

There are currently more than 20 acceptable forms of ID, including passports, driving licences, bus passes and Armed Forces Veteran Cards.

Anyone without valid ID can apply for a free document called a Voter Authority Certificate.

The rules are different in Northern Ireland where voters have had to show photo ID since 2003.

The Electoral Commission estimates that about seven million people are incorrectly registered or missing from the electoral register. This means they cannot vote.

It says private renters and young people are disproportionately affected.

The government wants to create an automated voter registration scheme with safeguards so that people are aware of their registration status and can opt-out.

Voters will have to opt-in to be included in the open electoral register, which is publicly available. Nobody under 16 will appear on the open register.

A 2023 Electoral Commission report suggested automated registration could involve organisations like the Passport Office providing Electoral Registration Officers with the names and addresses of people eligible to vote.

At present, eligible adults in the UK need to register in order to vote. This can be done online, or using a paper form.

The government wants to change the deadline to apply for a postal vote.

It would be moved from 11 to 14 working days before polling day.

This should make it more likely that people get their ballot in good time.

Rules around party donations will also be tightened. The goverment says this will help tackle foreign interference in UK elections.

Companies would need to show they have a genuine connection to the UK, including demonstrating that they are headquartered in the UK and have sufficient income to cover the donation.

Parties would have to assess the status of potential donors before accepting money.

The Electoral Commission would be able to hand out fines of up to £500,000 to those who breach the rules.

The National Union of Students said the plan to reduce the voting age was a "landmark moment for democracy".

The Lib Dems also backed the move, calling it "long overdue".

However, Conservative shadow local government secretary Sir James Cleverly said that "people become adults at 18 and that is when citizenship rights – such as voting – should be gained".

Reform also said that said 16 and 17-year-olds should not be able to vote in elections where they could not take part as candidates.

The latest a Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of the day it first met.

However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election.

The current Parliament began on 9 July, which means the next general election must be held by August 2029.

However, the prime minister can call an election at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period, subject to the King's formal approval.

Correction 16 September 2025: This article originally said that voters in Scotland and Wales need ID to vote in all general, local and national elections. It was amended to make it clear that voters do not need ID for Scottish parliament, Senedd or local council elections in Scotland and Wales.