Petition · past parliament
Allow 16 year olds to vote EU referendum
Rejected
18 signatures
What the petition asks
This is a once in a generation, potentially once in a lifetime decision. "The minimum period after a vote to leave would be two years" (bbc.co.uk). If by the time this decision is in effect, a 16 year old will be of eligible voting age, why should they not have a say in what that decision will be.
This is not the same as a general election. This is a once in a generation, and potentially a once in a lifetime decision.
The BBC states that the minimum amount of time it would take for the UK to remove itself from the EU "would be two years". If the decision is to leave, by the time Britain has actually left, 16 year olds will be 18, but will have had no say in the outcome of the vote.
These people will have to deal with the outcome of staying or leaving; why should they not have a say.
The BBC states that the minimum amount of time it would take for the UK to remove itself from the EU "would be two years". If the decision is to leave, by the time Britain has actually left, 16 year olds will be 18, but will have had no say in the outcome of the vote.
These people will have to deal with the outcome of staying or leaving; why should they not have a say.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 5 May 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 6 May 2016 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
18
Status
Rejected
Rejected
6 May 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.