Petition · past parliament · Cabinet Office

Allow 16 and 17 year olds across the UK the right to vote in general elections.

Closed 712 signatures

What the petition asks

Change the law so that all 16 and 17 year olds across the UK can vote in general elections.
Political decisions have a huge impact on the lives of young people, highlighted recently with the A-levels disaster. It isn't right that young people cannot exercise any democratic right and respond to government action.

N.B.:
16 and 17 year olds can drive, have sex, leave home (where it is unlikely a court will approve a parental order to bring the child back), can become employed and get married with consent (or no consent in Scotland).

Timeline

29 Sep 2020 Petition opened for signatures
29 Mar 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 712
Status Closed
Department Cabinet Office
Opened 29 Sep 2020
Closed 29 Mar 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.