Petition · past parliament · Cabinet Office
Extend the franchise (voting age) to include those who are 16-17 years old.
Closed
441 signatures
What the petition asks
Parliament to lower the voting age to include those who are 16 and 17 years old. This is important as they do not currently have any means of representing their views within the formal political system.
Young people are denied a voice in our supposedly representative democracy.
Young people deserve to be heard. There is no valid argument against this, only archaic attitudes which wish to hinder change and development in our society.
Attempts by Parliament to allow 16 and 17 year olds to engage in politics have been relatively ineffective. Youth Parliaments and councils go ignored, and more and more young people want a say in their futures. Young people should not be forced into silence.
Young people deserve to be heard. There is no valid argument against this, only archaic attitudes which wish to hinder change and development in our society.
Attempts by Parliament to allow 16 and 17 year olds to engage in politics have been relatively ineffective. Youth Parliaments and councils go ignored, and more and more young people want a say in their futures. Young people should not be forced into silence.
Timeline
| 10 Mar 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 10 Sep 2020 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
441
Status
Closed
Department
Cabinet Office
Opened
10 Mar 2020
Closed
10 Sep 2020
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.