Breaking News English

U.K. to lower voting age from 18 to 16

Voting Age - Level 4

The U.K. will lower the voting age by two years to 16. This "seismic" change is part of reforms to give the electoral system more integrity. The first chance 16-year-olds will have to cast their vote will be in the UK's next general election. The government said: "We are modernizing our democracy, so that it is fit for the 21st century. By [extending] the vote to younger people." It wants to restore public trust and "boost engagement in UK democracy".

There has been mixed reaction to the change. Supporters say 16-year-olds work and pay taxes, so they should have the vote. The UK prime minister said: "If you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on." The UK's deputy prime minister said young people serve in the military, so they should "have a say on issues that affect them". Critics say 16-year-olds cannot buy a lottery ticket, yet they will be able to vote.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Voting Age - Level 5

The U.K. will lower the voting age to 16. This is two years lower than the current age. This "seismic" change is part of a set of reforms that will give the electoral system more integrity. The first chance 16- and 17-year-olds will have to cast their vote will be in the UK's next general election. The government said: "We are modernizing our democracy, so that it is fit for the 21st century. By [extending] the vote to younger people, we are taking a generational step forward in restoring public trust and boosting engagement in UK democracy."

There has been mixed reaction to the change. Supporters say 16-year-olds work and pay taxes, so they should be allowed to vote. The UK prime minister agreed. He said: "If you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on." The UK's deputy prime minister said: "Young people already contribute to society by…paying taxes and serving in the military. It's only right they can have a say on the issues that affect them." Critics say 16-year-olds cannot drink alcohol or get married without their parent's consent, yet they will be able to vote.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Voting Age - Level 6

The British government has announced a lowering of the voting age to 16. This is two years lower than the current age at which a person can cast their vote. This "seismic" change is part of a package of reforms that will give the electoral system greater integrity, while including more young people in the democratic process. The first chance 16- and 17-year-olds will have to exercise their right to vote will be in the UK's next general election. The government said: "We are modernizing our democracy, so that it is fit for the 21st century. By [extending] the vote to younger people, we are taking a generational step forward in restoring public trust and boosting engagement in UK democracy."

There has been mixed reaction in Britain to the change. Supporters contend that 16-year-olds in Britain work and pay taxes, so they should be allowed to vote. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed. He said: "If you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on." The UK's deputy prime minister said: "Young people already contribute to society by working, paying taxes and serving in the military. It's only right they can have a say on the issues that affect them." However, there are many critics. Some point to the fact that 16-year-olds cannot drink alcohol, buy a lottery ticket, or get married without their parent's consent, yet they will be able to vote.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson