Petition · past parliament
Set the voting age for a second EU referendum to 16.
Rejected
18 signatures
What the petition asks
The decision will come into force in just over 2 years’ time (2 years after the Article 50 notification date). Those citizens that will be 18 at the implementation date should have a right to vote.
The younger a citizen is the more effect the decision will have on their lives.
The younger a citizen is the more effect the decision will have on their lives.
The exclusion of this most affected group from the right to be part of the decision at the first referendum was unfair and unjustified.
The 16-17 age group were entitled to vote in the Scottish Referendum. There was no justification to refuse this age group the same right as they had in the Scottish referendum
The exclusion of the 16-17 olds from the right to vote in the referendum will lead to more alienation and a greater rift between the generations.
The 16-17 age group were entitled to vote in the Scottish Referendum. There was no justification to refuse this age group the same right as they had in the Scottish referendum
The exclusion of the 16-17 olds from the right to vote in the referendum will lead to more alienation and a greater rift between the generations.
Why it was rejected
It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.
The EU referendum has already taken place. It is therefore no longer possible for the franchise (the groups of people who are entitled to vote) to be changed.
If you would like the UK voting age to be lowered to 16, you might like to sign this petition instead:
Reduce the legal voting age to 16
If you would like the UK voting age to be lowered to 16, you might like to sign this petition instead:
Reduce the legal voting age to 16
Timeline
| 25 Jun 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 28 Jun 2016 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
18
Status
Rejected
Rejected
28 Jun 2016
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.