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\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"News](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/polling-vote-election.jpg\")
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UK Government follows Wales in giving 16 year olds right to vote \u2013 with expanded voter ID
Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area<\/p>\n
Sixteen year olds will be given the right to vote in all UK elections as part of \u201cseismic\u201d changes to modernise UK democracy say UK Government.<\/p>\n
Currently 16 year olds in Wrexham can vote in Senedd elections, but General Elections.<\/p>\n
A new Elections Bill will come forward from the UK Labour Government to change that, and depending how soon it happens, 16 year olds could be voting for their next local councillor.<\/p>\n
UK Government say, \u201cThis will mean young people, who already contribute to society by working, paying taxes and serving in the military, will be given the right to vote on the issues that affect them. This will bring UK-wide elections in line with Scotland and Wales and is a major step towards meeting a manifesto commitment, ushering in the biggest change to UK democracy in a generation. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of the plans, the government is going further to make sure eligible voters are not deterred from voting, by expanding voter ID to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of ID at the polling station. This is alongside harnessing more digital options to support voters and polling station staff, including allowing accepted IDs such as the Veteran Card and UK driving licence to be used at polling stations when they become available in digital format.<\/p>\n
They add, \u201cA new digital Voter Authority Certificate will also be created to ensure Electoral Registration Officers can meet the digital needs of voters, reduce printing costs and ensure faster delivery.<\/p>\n
Tightening of cash flowing to politics is also noted, \u201cMajor new changes will boost transparency and accountability in politics by closing loopholes that would allow foreign donors via \u2018shell companies\u2019 to influence UK political parties. Meanwhile, new requirements on unincorporated associations will mandate checks on donations over \u00a3500 to tackle foreign interference and protect UK democracy from those who attempt to undermine it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlongside this, the reforms will allow the Electoral Commission to take action and enforce heavier fines of up to \u00a3500,000 on those who breach political finance rules, and enable tougher sentences for those who abuse election campaigners \u2013 stabilising the foundations of UK democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later detail notes, \u201cIn relation to political finance, the changes being brought by the government will effectively meet an evolving and sophisticated threat of illicit money being funnelled from abroad to political parties. Tough new rules will ensure that in the future, \u2018shell companies\u2019 will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will end the status quo, where a new company registered today, owned by anyone, funded from anywhere, without even a single day of trade, can donate and have influence in UK politics.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe introduction of \u2018Know your Donor\u2019 checks will increase scrutiny of donations, requiring recipients to conduct enhanced checks to decrease the risk of illegitimate donations entering our system, guarding against foreign interference. This will close loopholes, reinforce our democracy and protect our citizens from those who seek to undermine and harm our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said, \u201cFor too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give sixteen year olds the right to vote.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minister for Democracy, Rushanara Ali, said: \u201cWe are modernising our democracy, so that it is fit for the 21st century. By delivering our manifesto commitment to extend the vote to 16 and 17 year olds, we are taking a generational step forward in restoring public trust and boosting engagement in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another element of the reforms is to protect \u201c\u2026all voters, candidates, campaigners and electoral staff are safe from intimidation, harassment and abuse\u201d.<\/p>\n
UK Gov say candidate addresses will not have to be made public, \u201cThis behaviour is on the rise, particularly against women and ethnic minorities \u2013 with recent Electoral Commission research showing 55% of candidates at the 2024 General Election experienced abuse. The reforms will crack down on these unacceptable practices, delivering tougher sentences for those who intimidate campaigners and stronger protections for candidates in public life by removing the requirement for their home address to be published and openly available.\u201d<\/p>\n
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