Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Polls

13th June 2024

We launched the First News Children’s Party to give young people a voice during this general election year.

You have to be 18 to vote in general elections in the UK, but this isn’t the case everywhere around the world.

In some elections in the UK, 16 and 17-year-olds are allowed to vote, such as for the Welsh and Scottish Parliaments.

But, young people are less likely to vote than older people.

Some people think if 16 and 17-year-olds vote, then the turnout (the percentage of people who vote) will go down. Others think that young people should be able to have a say on issues that affect them.

This week in First News, we take a look at two more of the Children’s Party manifesto topics: Jobs and Skills, and Social Care, and we hear from young ambassadors Sumaira and Rebecca.

You can read more and find out how you can get involved in the Children’s Party here.