Stock image of a polling station(Image: Philip Magowan / PressEye)The UK Government has announced it intends to lower the voting age to 16 in time for the next General Election.
This means a Bill would be brought forward before 2029 which will include extending the right to vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, with the government working to create a system of automated voter registration.
Those aged 16 or over can already vote in Holyrood, Senedd and local government elections in Wales and Scotland, but not in UK parliamentary elections.
READ MORE: Irish Government draft law banning trade with Israeli settlements sparks ‘Fr Ted’ rowREAD MORE: Assembly committee urges victims of mother and baby homes to speak out
But what does this latest news mean for Northern Ireland? Here is everything we know so far.
What have the UK government announced on voting age reduction?
On Thursday, July 19, the UK government announced 16 and 17-year-olds would be able to vote at the next general election. Currently, only those aged 18 and over can vote in UK parliament elections and all elections in Northern Ireland.
Lowering the voting age to 16 across the UK would be the biggest change to the electorate since it was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1969.
Other changes announced include expanding forms of voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards, moving towards automatic voter registration, and tightening rules on political donations to protect against foreign interference.
When would voting age reduction be in place?
The government has confirmed it is planning to introduce the change in time for 16 and 17-year-olds to vote at the next UK general election, which is due to take place by 2029, but could be called earlier.
What does this mean for Northern Ireland?
It is not yet known whether the legislation will be in place before the next election to the Northern Ireland Assembly and local government elections in the region, which are set to take place in 2027.
What have politicians in Northern Ireland said about the change?
First Minister Michelle O’Neill has described the voting age reduction as a “step forward for democracy”.
“I’ll now be contacting the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, urging him to ensure that the right to vote at 16 applies to the 2027 Assembly and Council elections in the north,” she said in a post on the social media network X.
SDLP leader Claire Hanna said voting rights should be changed at all levels.
“Enfranchising 16 and 17-year-olds has been a long held SDLP position and we welcome confirmation from the Government today that this will be in place for the next general election,” she said.
“There are many young people in Northern Ireland actively engaged in politics and I know that for generations there has been frustration that they could not play a full role in the democratic process.
“The SDLP believes that these voting rights must stretch beyond general elections and be extended to voting for the Assembly and local councils.
“We will continue to make the case for that at Westminster and push for change to secure voting at all levels for 16 and 17-year-olds.”
There was also a call to ensure the legislation is in place by 2027 from the Alliance Party. North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland said: “We have long-argued that the disenfranchisement of our society’s young people is a major democratic deficit here in Northern Ireland.
“However, time is of the essence and we need urgent clarification that it will be a priority to see this implemented in time for the next NI Assembly election in 2027. We cannot afford any further delay.”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our politics newsletter here.