View source for Voting age

{{Short description|Minimum age of eligible voters}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2023}}
{{Youth rights sidebar}}

A legal '''voting age''' is the minimum age that a person is allowed to [[Voting|vote]] in a [[democracy|democratic process]]. Most nations use 18 years of age as their voting age, but for other countries their voting age ranges between 16 and 21 (with the sole exception of the [[United Arab Emirates]] where the voting age is 25). A nation's voting age may therefore coincide with the country's [[age of majority]], but in many cases the two are not tied.

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==History==
In 1890, the [[South African Republic]], commonly known as the Transvaal Republic, set a voting age of 18 years.<ref>
{{cite book
| editor1-last = Eybers
| editor1-first = G. W.
| title = Select constitutional documents illustrating South African history, 1795-1910
| url = https://archive.org/details/selectconstitut01eybegoog
| location = London
| publisher = Routledge
| date = 1918
| page = 495| quote = Wet No. 5, 1890 [...] Om kiezer te zijn, moet men den ouderdom van 16 jaren bereikt hebben. [Law No. 5, 1890 ... In order to be a voter one must have reached the age of 16 years.]
}}
</ref> The effort was, like later legislation expanding voting rights [[Women's Enfranchisement Act, 1930|for women]] and [[Franchise Laws Amendment Act, 1931|impoverished whites]], in part an attempt to skew the electorate further in favor of [[Afrikaner]] interests against [[uitlanders]].

Prior to the [[Second World War]] of 1939–1945, the voting age in almost all countries was 21 years or higher. The U.S. state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] lowered its age to 18 by referendum in 1943, for all elections including Congress and President, on the basis that many under 21 were at war; [[Kentucky]] followed suit in 1955. In [[1946 Czechoslovak parliamentary election|1946 Czechoslovakia]] became the first state to reduce the voting age nationally to 18 years,<ref name="DN">{{cite book |last1=Nohlen |first1=Dieter |title=Elections in Europe: A data handbook |last2=Stöver |first2=Philip |date=2010 |isbn=978-3-8329-5609-7 |pages=464|publisher=Nomos}}</ref> and by 1968 a total of 17 countries had lowered their voting age, of which 8 were in Latin America, and 8 were communist countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archives of Maryland, Volume 0138, Page 0051 - Constitutional Revision Study Documents of the Constitutional Convention Commission, 1968 |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000138/html/am138--51.html |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=msa.maryland.gov |archive-date=3 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103173707/https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000138/html/am138--51.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Australia, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland had lowered their voting age to 20 by the end of the 1960s.<ref name=":7" />

Many major democratic countries, beginning in Western Europe and North America, reduced their voting ages to 18 years during the 1970s, starting with the United Kingdom ([[Representation of the People Act 1969]]),<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last1=Loughran |first1=Thomas |last2=Mycock |first2=Andrew |last3=Tonge |first3=Jonathan |date=2021-04-03 |title=A coming of age: how and why the UK became the first democracy to allow votes for 18-year-olds |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13619462.2021.1890589 |journal=Contemporary British History |language=en |volume=35 |issue=2 |pages=284–313 |doi=10.1080/13619462.2021.1890589 |s2cid=233956982 |issn=1361-9462 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=4 June 2023 |access-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604093606/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13619462.2021.1890589 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bingham |first=Adrian |date=25 June 2019 |title='The last milestone' on the journey to full adult suffrage? 50 years of debates about the voting age |url=https://www.historyandpolicy.org/index.php/policy-papers/papers/the-last-milestone-on-the-journey-to-full-adult-suffrage |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=History & Policy |archive-date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702125136/https://www.historyandpolicy.org/index.php/policy-papers/papers/the-last-milestone-on-the-journey-to-full-adult-suffrage |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last1=Loughran |first1=Thomas |last2=Mycock |first2=Andrew |last3=Tonge |first3=Jonathan |date=2021-11-03 |title=Lowering the voting age: three lessons from the 1969 Representation of the People's Act |url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/lessons-from-the-1969-representation-of-the-peoples-act/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=British Politics and Policy at LSE |archive-date=31 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231094119/https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/lessons-from-the-1969-representation-of-the-peoples-act/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Canada, [[West Germany]] (1970), the United States ([[Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution|26th Amendment]], 1971), Australia (1974), France (1974), Sweden (1975) and others. It was argued that if young men could be drafted to go to war at 18, they should be able to vote at the age of 18.<ref>{{cite book|last= Sanders|first= Mark|title= Your Right To Vote|date= 2000|publisher= Raintree Steck- Vaugh company|location= United States}}</ref>

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries voting ages were lowered to 18 in Japan,<ref>[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/08/national/politics-diplomacy/young-voters-hope-reform-japans-silver-democracy/ Young voters hope to reform Japan's 'silver democracy'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616074310/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/08/national/politics-diplomacy/young-voters-hope-reform-japans-silver-democracy/ |date=16 June 2022 }}. ''The Japan Times''. Published 8 July 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2018.</ref> India, Switzerland, Austria, the Maldives, and Morocco. By the end of the 20th century, 18 had become by far the most common voting age. However, a few countries maintain a voting age of 20 years or higher, and a few countries have a lower voting age of 16 or 17.<ref>{{cite web |title=Comparative data |url=http://aceproject.org/epic-en/CDTable?view=country&question=VR001 |website=ACE - The Electoral Knowledge Network |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512100924/https://aceproject.org/epic-en/CDTable?view=country&question=VR001 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2020 to 2021 ===
The vast majority of countries and territories have a minimum voting age of 18-years-old as of October 2020.<ref name="Pew Research">{{cite web |url= https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/10/30/from-voter-registration-to-mail-in-ballots-how-do-countries-around-the-world-run-their-elections/ |title= From voter registration to mail-in ballots, how do countries around the world run their elections? |last1= Schumacher |first1= Shannon |last2= Connaughton |first2= Aidan |date= 30 October 2020 |website= Pew Research Center |access-date= 14 February 2023 |archive-date= 13 February 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230213122613/https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/10/30/from-voter-registration-to-mail-in-ballots-how-do-countries-around-the-world-run-their-elections/ |url-status= live }}</ref> According to data from the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, 205 countries and territories have a minimum voting age of 18 for national elections out of 237 countries and territories the organization has data on as of October 2020.<ref name="Pew Research"/> As of the aforementioned date, 12 countries or territories have a minimum voting age of less than 18, with 3 countries or territories at 17-years-old, and 9 countries or territories at 16-years-old.<ref name="Pew Research"/> 16-years-old is the lowest minimum age globally for national elections, while the highest is 25-years-old which is only the case in the [[United Arab Emirates]] (UAE).<ref name="Pew Research"/> This age of 25 was also the case in Italy for Senate ([[upper house]]) elections until it was lowered to 18 in 2021.<ref name="Italy">{{Cite web|title=Voto a 18 anni al Senato, tappa di una lunga marcia verso un bicameralismo senza senso|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/voto-18-anni-senato-tappa-una-lunga-marcia-un-bicameralismo-senza-senso-AEhTtEY|access-date=2021-09-13|website=Il Sole 24 ORE|date=21 July 2021|language=it|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609222208/https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/voto-18-anni-senato-tappa-una-lunga-marcia-un-bicameralismo-senza-senso-AEhTtEY|url-status=live}}</ref> Italy's [[lower house]] of Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, has had a minimum voting age of 18 since 1975, when it was lowered from 21.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1975/03/09/archives/voting-age-is-lowered-in-italy-to-18-from-21.html |title= Voting Age Is Lowered In Italy to 18 From 21 |date= 9 March 1975 |website= The New York Times |access-date= 14 February 2023 |archive-date= 14 February 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230214121307/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/03/09/archives/voting-age-is-lowered-in-italy-to-18-from-21.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

==Debate on lowering the voting age==
{{See also|Youth suffrage|Suffrage}}

[[File:NYRA Berkeley voting age protest.jpg|thumb|right|Demonstration in favor of lowering the voting age by members of [[National Youth Rights Association|NYRA]] [[Berkeley, California]] (2004)]]
Around 2000, a number of countries began to consider whether the voting age ought to be reduced further, with arguments most often being made in favor of a reduction to 16. In Brazil, the age was lowered to 16 in the 1988 Constitution, while the lower voting age took effect for the first time in the 1989 Presidential Election. The earliest moves in Europe came during the 1990s, when the voting age for [[municipal elections]] in some [[States of Germany]] was lowered to 16. [[Lower Saxony]] was the first state to make such a reduction, in 1995, and four other states did likewise.<ref name="16 locals"/>

In 2007, Austria became the first country to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in national elections, with the expanded franchise first being consummated in the [[2009 European Parliament election]]. A study of young voters' behavior on that occasion showed them to be as capable as older voters to articulate their beliefs and to make voting decisions appropriate for their preferences. Their knowledge of the political process was only insignificantly lower than in older cohorts, while trust in democracy and willingness to participate in the process were markedly higher.<ref name="wag">{{cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1=Markus |last2=Johann |first2=David |last3=Kritzinger |first3=Sylvia |title=Voting at 16: Turnout and the quality of vote choice |journal=Electoral Studies |date=May 2012 |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=372–383 |doi=10.1016/j.electstud.2012.01.007 |pmid=24850994 |language=English |pmc=4020373}}</ref> Additionally, there was evidence found for the first time of a voting boost among young people age 16–25 in Austria.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zeglovits |first=Eva |date=2014 |title=Are People More Inclined to Vote at 16 than at 18? Evidence for the First-Time Voting Boost Among 16- to 25-Year-Olds in Austria |journal=Journal of Elections|volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=351–361 |doi=10.1080/17457289.2013.872652 |pmid=27226806 |pmc=4864896 |s2cid=44707975}}</ref>

During the 2000s several proposals for a reduced voting age were put forward in [[U.S. states]], including [[California]], [[Florida]] and [[Alaska]],<ref>[http://youthrights.org/votestatus.php Worldwide Efforts to Lower the Voting Age] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522223459/http://youthrights.org/votestatus.php |date=22 May 2013 }}, National Youth Rights Association</ref> but none were successful. In Oregon, Senate Joint Resolution 22 has been introduced to reduce the voting age from 18 to 16.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SJR22/Introduced|title=Oregon Senate Joint Resolution 22|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221000424/https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SJR22/Introduced|url-status=dead}}</ref> A national reduction was proposed in 2005 in [[Canada]]<ref name="vote16.ca/2007">[[Parliament of Canada]], Bill C-261 (2005); [http://vote16.ca/en/index.htm Vote16, Canada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070801045625/http://vote16.ca/en/index.htm |date=1 August 2007}}</ref> and in the [[Australia]]n state of [[New South Wales]],<ref>[[Parliament of New South Wales]], Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Voting Age) Bill (2005); [[Hansard]], 14 September 2005, [http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LC20050914041 p. 17686] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929125157/http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LC20050914041 |date=29 September 2007 }}.</ref> but these proposals were not adopted. In May 2009, Danish Member of Parliament [[Mogens Jensen (politician)|Mogens Jensen]] presented an initiative to the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] in [[Strasbourg]] to lower the voting age in Europe to 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc09/EDOC11895.pdf|title=edoc11895|access-date=6 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527175929/http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc09/EDOC11895.pdf|archive-date=27 May 2009}}</ref>

Demands to reduce the voting age to 16 years were again brought forward by activists of the [[school strike for climate]] movement in several countries (including Germany and the UK).<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Stern (magazine)|Stern]] |url=https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/freitag-zur-demo--so-denken-die-jugendlichen-von--fridays-for-future--8555674.html |title=Ragna, Linus, Ronja und Florian: Sie schwänzen den Unterricht, um die Welt zu retten |language=de |date=30 January 2019 |access-date=23 February 2019 |archive-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528230647/https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/freitag-zur-demo--so-denken-die-jugendlichen-von--fridays-for-future--8555674.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/climate-change-protest-strike-global-warming-children-greta-thunberg-a8779221.html |title=The grown-ups have failed miserably on climate change |date=14 February 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2019 |access-date=23 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924214551/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/climate-change-protest-strike-global-warming-children-greta-thunberg-a8779221.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 

=== Australia ===
After Premier [[Don Dunstan]] introduced the Age of Majority (Reduction) Bill in October 1970, the voting age in South Australia was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1973.

On 21 October 2019, [[Australian Greens|Greens]] MP [[Adam Bandt]] introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to lower the voting age to 16.<ref>{{cite web |title=Momentum grows for lowering voting age as Greens - local and national - fight for reform |url=https://greens.org.au/act/news/momentum-grows-lowering-voting-age-greens-local-and-national-fight-reform |website=The Australian Greens |date=21 October 2019 |access-date=21 October 2019 |archive-date=21 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021110942/https://greens.org.au/act/news/momentum-grows-lowering-voting-age-greens-local-and-national-fight-reform |url-status=live }}</ref>

A report suggesting that consideration be given to reducing the voting age to 16 in the [[Australian Capital Territory]] in [[Canberra]], Australia was tabled in the [[Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly|territorial legislature]] on 26 September 2007 and defeated.<ref>{{cite news|title=ACT to consider lowering voting age|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|date=26 September 2007|url=http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/26/2043628.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206134008/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/26/2043628.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2007}}</ref>

In 2015, federal Opposition Leader [[Bill Shorten]] said that the voting age should be lowered to 16.<ref name="abc.net.au">ABC News, 31 October 2015, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-31/shorten-calls-for-voting-age-to-be-lowered-to-16/6901464 Bill Shorten calls for voting age to be lowered to 16] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031115241/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-31/shorten-calls-for-voting-age-to-be-lowered-to-16/6901464 |date=31 October 2015 }}</ref>

=== Austria ===
In 2007, Austria became the first member of the [[European Union]] to adopt a voting age of 16 for most purposes.<ref name="Austria 4"/><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rosenqvist|first=Olof|date=2020|title=Rising to the Occasion? Youth Political Knowledge and the Voting ...Age|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-political-science/article/rising-to-the-occasion-youth-political-knowledge-and-the-voting-age/B52EB949B70DED5EACDA6B2932D3C017/core-reader|journal=British Journal of Political Science|language=en|volume=50|issue=2|pages=781–792|doi=10.1017/S0007123417000515|hdl=10419/166007 |s2cid=151803349|issn=0007-1234|hdl-access=free|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The voting age had been reduced in Austria from 19 to 18 at all levels in 1992. At that time a voting age of 16 was proposed by the [[The Greens – The Green Alternative|Green Party]], but was not adopted.<ref name="NR pass"/>

The voting age for municipal elections in some [[States of Austria|states]] was lowered to 16 shortly after 2000.<ref name="16 locals">[http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/files/dms/AEM_10002-8073__E__N__S__W__.pdf ''How old is old enough?'' - the minimum age of voting and candidacy in UK elections: consultation paper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112073236/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/files/dms/AEM_10002-8073__E__N__S__W__.pdf |date=12 January 2007 }}, July 2003, UK [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|Electoral Commission]], para. 3.6.</ref> Three states had made the reduction by 2003 ([[Burgenland]], [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]] and [[Styria]]),<ref name="16 locals"/> and in May 2003 [[Vienna]] became the fourth.<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070911145438/http://www.votesat16.org.uk/news/000030.html ''Austria joins the votes at 16 club'']}}, [[Votes at 16]]. Retrieved 6 June 2007.</ref> [[Salzburg (state)|Salzburg]] followed suit,<ref>[http://www.jugendvertretung.at/content/site/home/english/article/928.html ''Lowering the Electoral Age''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928170549/http://www.jugendvertretung.at/content/site/home/english/article/928.html |date=28 September 2007}}, Austrian National Youth Council. Retrieved 6 June 2007.</ref><ref name="DW">[http://www.demokratiezentrum.org/en/cms/topics/democracy_debates/elections/index.html ''Elections''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703112025/http://www.demokratiezentrum.org/en/cms/topics/democracy_debates/elections/index.html |date=3 July 2007}}, Demokratiezentrum Wien. Retrieved 6 June 2007.</ref> and so by the start of 2005 the total had reached at least five states out of nine.<ref>[http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/9E8D42171C86FEE9C1256F8900731350?opendocument ''Committee on Rights of Child Considers Second Periodic Report of Austria''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526233549/http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/9E8D42171C86FEE9C1256F8900731350?opendocument |date=26 May 2013 }}, [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|UNHCHR]], 14 January 2005.</ref> As a consequence of state law, reduction of the municipal voting age in the states of Burgenland, Salzburg and Vienna resulted in the reduction of the regional voting age in those states as well.<ref name="DW"/>

After the [[2006 Austrian legislative election|2006 election]], the winning [[Social Democratic Party of Austria|SPÖ]]-[[Austrian People's Party|ÖVP]] coalition announced on 12 January 2007 that one of its policies would be the reduction of the voting age to 16 for elections in all states and at all levels in Austria.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oleksyn|first=Veronika|title=Austrians split on voting at age 16 plan|publisher=AP/washingtonpost.com|date=12 January 2007|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/12/AR2007011202410.html|access-date=2 February 2007}}</ref> The policy was set in motion by a Government announcement on 14 March,<ref>
{{cite news|title=Austria lowers voting age|publisher=IOL, South Africa|date=14 March 2007|url=http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=nw20070314154425183C442915|access-date=30 March 2007}}</ref> and a bill proposing an amendment to the [[Constitution of Austria|Constitution]] was presented to the [[Parliament of Austria|legislature]] on 2 May.<ref>{{cite news|title=Austria lowers voting age to 16|publisher=News 24, South Africa|date=3 May 2007|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2107576,00.html|access-date=6 May 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517043147/http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2107576,00.html|archive-date=17 May 2007}}</ref><ref>[http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/portal/page?_pageid=908,4792751&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL 94 d.B. (XXIII. GP) Bundesverfassungsgesetz, mit dem das Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz geändert wird] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929125239/http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/portal/page?_pageid=908,4792751&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |date=29 September 2007}}, Republik Österreich Parlament (German).</ref> On 5 June the [[National Council of Austria|National Council]] approved the proposal following a recommendation from its Constitution Committee.<ref name="Austria 4">{{cite news|title=Austria lowers voting age to 16|publisher=EUX.tv&nbsp;— the Europe Channel, the Netherlands|date=5 June 2007|url=http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=9251|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930190614/http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=9251|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="NR pass">[http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/portal/page?_pageid=908,5450640&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL Wählen mit 16, Briefwahl, fünfjährige Gesetzgebungsperiode kommen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929125113/http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/portal/page?_pageid=908,5450640&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |date=29 September 2007}}, Republik Österreich Parlament (German). Retrieved 6 June 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/portal/page?_pageid=908,5234640&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL Verfassungsausschuss gibt grünes Licht für Wahlrechtsreform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234111/http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/portal/page?_pageid=908,5234640&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |date=26 September 2007}}, Republik Österreich Parlament (German). Retrieved 25 May 2007.</ref> During the passage of the bill through the chamber relatively little opposition was raised to the reduction, with four out of five parties explicitly supporting it; indeed, there was some dispute over which party had been the first to suggest the idea. Greater controversy surrounded the other provisions of the bill concerning the ''Briefwahl'', or [[postal voting|postal vote]], and the extension of the legislative period for the National Council from four to five years.<ref name="NR pass"/> A further uncontroversial inclusion was a reduction in the [[age of candidacy|candidacy age]] from 19 to 18. The [[Federal Council of Austria|Federal Council]] approved the Bill on 21 June, with no party voting against it.<ref>[http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/portal/page?_pageid=908,5818640&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL Wahlrechtsreform 2007 passiert den Bundesrat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929123606/http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/portal/page?_pageid=908,5818640&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |date=29 September 2007}}, Republik Österreich Parlament (German). Retrieved 30 June 2007.</ref> The voting age was reduced when the Bill's provisions came into force on 1 July 2007.<ref name="final Austria Bill">[http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/pls/portal/docs/page/PG/DE/XXIII/I/I_00129/FNAMEORIG_079516.HTML 31/BNR (XXIII. GP) Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070929093109/http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/pls/portal/docs/page/PG/DE/XXIII/I/I_00129/FNAMEORIG_079516.HTML |date=29 September 2007}}, ss. 1, 5 and 25, Republik Österreich Parlament (German). Retrieved 1 July 2007.</ref> Austria thus became the first member of the European Union, and the first of the [[developed world]] democracies, to adopt a voting age of 16 for all purposes.<ref name="Austria 4"/> Lowering the voting age encouraged political interest in young people in Austria.  More sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds voted than eighteen-to-twenty-one-year-olds in Austria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=5.2 Youth participation in representative democracy |url=https://national-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu/youthwiki/chapters/austria/52-youth-participation-in-representative-democracy |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=national-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922060928/https://national-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu/youthwiki/chapters/austria/52-youth-participation-in-representative-democracy |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Brazil ===
[[Brazil]] lowered the voting age from 18 to 16 in the [[Constitution of Brazil|1988 constitution]]. The presidential election of 1989 was the first with the lower voting age. People between the ages 18 and 70 are required to vote. The person must be 16 full years old on the eve of the election (In years without election, the person must be 16 full years old on or before 31 December). If they turn 18 years old after the election, the vote is not compulsory. When they turn 18 years old before the election, the vote is compulsory.

=== Canada ===
Canada lowered its federal voting age from 21 to 18 in 1970.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=bkg&document=ec90785&lang=e |title=The Evolution of the Federal Franchise |date=December 2014 |website=[[Elections Canada]] |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607111542/https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=bkg&document=ec90785&lang=e |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Maloney1"/> Most [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Canadian provinces]] soon followed suit, though several initially lowered their voting age to 19. It wasn't until 1992 when the last province, [[British Columbia]], lowered its voting age to 18.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-05-09 |title=Electoral History of B.C. |url=https://elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/outreach-and-education/electoral-history-of-bc/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Elections BC |archive-date=9 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109114001/https://elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/outreach-and-education/electoral-history-of-bc/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A further reduction to 16 was proposed federally in 2005, but was not adopted.<ref name="vote16.ca/2007" /><ref name="Wherry1"/> It was proposed again in 2011, but was not adopted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-03 |title=NDP revive pitch to lower the voting age in Canada |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/ndp-revive-pitch-to-lower-the-voting-age-in-canada/ |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=CTVNews |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318101601/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/ndp-revive-pitch-to-lower-the-voting-age-in-canada/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2018, in [[British Columbia]], a group of 20 youth partnered with [[Dogwood Initiative|Dogwood BC]] to launch a Vote16 campaign.<ref name="Dogwood">{{cite news |url=https://dogwoodbc.ca/lower-bc-voting-age |title=Lower the voting age to 16 in B.C. |website=[[Dogwood Initiative|Dogwood BC]] |date=2021}}</ref> Currently, they have unanimous support from the [[List of local government organizations#Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)|Union of BC Municipalities]],<ref>{{cite news |last=McElroy |first=Justin |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ubcm-16-vote-age-2019-1.5299066 |title=B.C. municipalities want to lower the voting age in local elections to 16 |date=September 26, 2019 |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> as well as endorsements from the province's [[Green Party of British Columbia]] and [[British Columbia New Democratic Party]] representatives.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pawson |first=Chad |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ndp-party-resolutions-lowering-voting-age-to-16-1.5371701 |title=How B.C. NDP resolutions could change the future of elections in the province |date=November 24, 2019 |work=[[CBC News]] |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202014640/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ndp-party-resolutions-lowering-voting-age-to-16-1.5371701 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2021}} The campaign is now waiting for it to be brought up in the legislative assembly by the NDP and for it to pass there.<ref name="Dogwood"/>{{better source needed|date=December 2021}}

In 2020, Canadian Senator [[Marilou McPhedran]] introduced a bill to lower the federal voting age from 18 to 16. She reintroduced it again in November 2021, (bill S-201), but it died on the floor when Parliament was [[Prorogation in Canada|prorogued]] in [[2024–2025 Canadian political crisis|January 2025]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Silver |first=Janet E |url=https://ipolitics.ca/2021/02/26/independent-senators-bill-would-lower-the-voting-age-to-16/ |title=Independent senator's bill would lower the voting age to 16 |date=February 26, 2021 |work=[[iPolitics]] |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202020341/https://ipolitics.ca/2021/02/26/independent-senators-bill-would-lower-the-voting-age-to-16/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.5578885/why-this-senator-thinks-canadians-should-start-voting-at-16-1.5578888 |title=Why this senator thinks Canadians should start voting at 16 |date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[CBC Radio]] |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202020341/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.5578885/why-this-senator-thinks-canadians-should-start-voting-at-16-1.5578888 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/en/bill/44-1/s-201|title=S-201 (44-1) - LEGISinfo - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca|access-date=17 July 2025|archive-date=14 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714152639/https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/en/bill/44-1/S-201|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2021, a group of young people filed a court challenge to lower the federal voting age from 18, arguing that the voting age is unconstitutional for violating multiple sections of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]].<ref name="Maloney1">{{cite news |last=Maloney |first=Ryan |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/young-canadians-voting-age-challenge-1.6268431 |title=Young Canadians launch court challenge to lower federal voting age from 18 |date=December 1, 2021 |work=[[CBC News]] |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202020339/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/young-canadians-voting-age-challenge-1.6268431 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several weeks later, [[Taylor Bachrach]] of the [[New Democratic Party]] (NDP) introduced a private member's bill to lower the voting age to 16.<ref name="Wherry1">{{cite news |first=Aaron |last=Wherry |date=December 13, 2021 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/voting-age-canada-taylor-bachrach-1.6284418 |title=NDP MP launches bill to lower voting age to 16 |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> The bill (C-210) was debated in May 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-03 |title=House of Commons to debate NDP bill on lowering voting age to 16 |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ndp-bill-on-lowering-voting-age-to-16-will-be-debated-in-house-of/ |access-date=2022-05-04}}</ref> The bill was defeated in its second reading with 245 members of parliament voting to oppose the bill and 77 voting to support it.<ref>{{cite news |last= Blagden |first= Jeff |date= 28 September 2022 |title= Bill to Lower Voting Age to 16 Proposed by Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach Defeated in Second Reading |url= https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2022/09/28/bill-to-lower-voting-age-to-16-proposed-by-skeena-bulkley-valley-mp-taylor-bachrach-defeated-in-second-reading/ |work= CFNR Network |access-date= 9 October 2023}}</ref>

Internal elections run by [[List of political parties in Canada|Canadian political parties]] have a lower voting age than that of general elections set by the government, typically allowing party members 14 and up to vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governing Documents |url=https://www.conservative.ca/about-us/governing-documents/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Conservative Party of Canada |language=en-US |archive-date=17 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117211427/https://www.conservative.ca/about-us/governing-documents/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Documents {{!}} Liberal Party of Canada |url=https://liberal.ca/documents/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=liberal.ca |language=en-CA |archive-date=6 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106195805/https://liberal.ca/documents/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution of the Green Party of Canada |url=https://www.greenparty.ca/en/party/documents/constitution |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Green Party of Canada |language=en |archive-date=15 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115050403/https://www.greenparty.ca/en/party/documents/constitution |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Accueil |url=https://www.blocquebecois.org/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Bloc Québécois |language=fr-FR |archive-date=5 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241105001602/https://www.blocquebecois.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Membership EN |url=https://act.ndp.ca/donate/membership-en |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Canada's NDP |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=David Eby's BC NDP >> Taking Action for You |url=https://www.bcndp.ca/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=BC NDP |language=en |archive-date=8 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108214015/https://www.bcndp.ca/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Cuba ===
As stated in the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, the voting age is 16 for men and women.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution of the Republic of Cuba |url=http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/cuba-constitution.html |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=hrlibrary.umn.edu |archive-date=23 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823031209/http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/cuba-constitution.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Germany ===
As part of their [[2021 German federal election#Government formation|2021 coalition deal]], the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]], [[Alliance 90/The Greens|Greens]] and [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP]] agreed to lower the voting age for European Elections to 16 within the course of the [[20th Bundestag]]. They successfully did so in time for the [[2024 European Parliament election|2024 European parliament elections]]. They also aimed to lower the voting age for elections to the German parliament. However, this would need a change of the constitution, which was blocked by the opposition [[CDU/CSU|CDU]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Germany's Greens approve three-party coalition deal|publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]]|date=6 December 2021|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-greens-approve-three-party-coalition-deal/a-60030550|access-date=6 December 2021|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206134236/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-greens-approve-three-party-coalition-deal/a-60030550|url-status=live}}</ref> Seven of the 16 [[States of Germany|states]] have also lowered their voting age for state elections and 11 of the 16 have lowered it for local elections.

=== Iceland ===
The first proposal to lower the voting age to 16 years was submitted in [[Althing|parliament]] in 2007. A bill to lower the voting age for municipal elections reached the final reading in 2018, but was [[filibuster]]ed by opponents until the close of the parliamentary session.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill To Lower Voting Age To 16 in Iceland Submitted Again|publisher=[[The Reykjavík Grapevine]]|date=16 November 2018|url=https://grapevine.is/news/2018/11/16/bill-to-lower-voting-age-to-16-in-iceland-submitted-again/|access-date=24 April 2019|archive-date=24 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424135256/https://grapevine.is/news/2018/11/16/bill-to-lower-voting-age-to-16-in-iceland-submitted-again/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 28 October 2023, the municipalities of [[Vesturbyggð]] and [[Tálknafjarðarhreppur]] held a referendum on unification; the voting age in this referendum was lowered to 16.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-10-08-sextan-og-sautjan-ara-ungmenni-fa-ad-kjosa-um-sameiningu-vesturbyggdar-og-talknafjardarhrepps-393370|title=Sextán og sautján ára ungmenni fá að kjósa um sameiningu Vesturbyggðar og Tálknafjarðarhrepps|date=2023-10-08|access-date=2023-10-08|publisher=RÚV|language=is|archive-date=24 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124173352/https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-10-08-sextan-og-sautjan-ara-ungmenni-fa-ad-kjosa-um-sameiningu-vesturbyggdar-og-talknafjardarhrepps-393370|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Iran ===
Iran had been unique in awarding suffrage at 15, but raised the age to 18 in January 2007 despite the opposition of the Government.<ref name="Iran increase">{{cite news |title=Iran raises voting age to 18 |publisher=[[Iran Focus]] |date=14 January 2007 |url=http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?view=article&id=9841 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629220648/http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?view=article&id=9841 |archive-date=29 June 2017}}</ref> In May 2007 the Iranian Cabinet proposed a bill to reverse the increase.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

=== Luxembourg ===
Currently, [[Luxembourg]] has [[compulsory voting]] from the age of 18.

Discussion about lowering the voting age to 16 was first introduced as part of a wider [[2015 Luxembourg constitutional referendum|June 2015 referendum]]. The broader principles of the referendum which concerned electoral reform were rejected by 81% of voters.

Discussion, specifically surrounding the lowering of the voting age to 16 received almost universal support in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Political parties submit proposals for Luxembourg electoral reform |url=https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/political-parties-submit-proposals-for-luxembourg-electoral-reform/38229702.html |website=Luxembourg Times |date=6 February 2025 |access-date=7 February 2025 |archive-date=7 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207005434/https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/political-parties-submit-proposals-for-luxembourg-electoral-reform/38229702.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Politically, only the ADR and CSV oppose the idea.

=== Malta ===
On 20 November 2013, Malta lowered the voting age from 18 to 16 for local elections starting from 2015. The proposal had wide support from both the government and opposition, social scientists and youth organizations.

On Monday, 5 March 2018, the Maltese Parliament unanimously voted in favor of amending the constitution, lowering the official voting age from 18 to 16 for general elections, European Parliament Elections and referendums, making Malta the second state in the [[European Union|EU]] to lower its voting age to 16.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web | url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/85054/vote_16_unanimously_approved | title=Maltese parliament extends voting suffrage to 16-year-olds | access-date=7 March 2018 | archive-date=26 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126052641/https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/85054/vote_16_unanimously_approved | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== New Zealand ===
The [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|New Zealand Green Party]] [[New Zealand House of Representatives|MP]] [[Sue Bradford]] announced on 21 June 2007 that she intended to introduce her Civics Education and Voting Age Bill on the next occasion upon which a place became available for the consideration of Members' Bills.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bradford launches Bill to lower voting age to 16 {{!}} Scoop News |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00410.htm |access-date=8 May 2021 |work=www.scoop.co.nz |date=2007}}</ref> When this happened on 25 July Bradford abandoned the idea, citing an adverse public reaction.<ref>{{cite news |title=Green MP drops bill to lower voting age |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/green-mp-drops-bill-to-lower-voting-age/GPXU7CUJMOQVLFC5K6ERVNKN4M/ |access-date=8 May 2021 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=2007 |language=en-NZ}}</ref> The Bill would have sought to reduce the voting age to 16 in New Zealand and make [[civics|civics education]] part of the compulsory curriculum in schools.

On 21 November 2022, the [[Supreme Court of New Zealand]] ruled in [[Make It 16 Incorporated v Attorney-General]] that the voting age of 18 was "inconsistent with the bill of rights to be free from discrimination on the basis of age".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/make-it-16-appeal-to-lower-voting-age-accepted-by-supreme-court/FAWCOW3GEFBL7D4PEOVGZ2WOVA/ |title=Supreme Court rules in favour of lowering voting age to 16 in case by 'Make it 16′ group |date=21 November 2022 |work=[[New Zealand Herald]] |first=Vita |last=Molyneux |access-date=21 November 2022 |archive-date=25 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125144720/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/make-it-16-appeal-to-lower-voting-age-accepted-by-supreme-court/FAWCOW3GEFBL7D4PEOVGZ2WOVA/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] subsequently announced that a bill to lower the voting age to 16 would be debated in parliament, requiring a supermajority to pass.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130539700/live-lowering-voting-age-to-16-to-be-considered-by-parliament |title=Live: Lowering voting age to 16 to be considered by Parliament |date=21 November 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |first=Anna |last=Whyte |access-date=21 November 2022 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121032701/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130539700/live-lowering-voting-age-to-16-to-be-considered-by-parliament |url-status=live }}</ref> This bill was subsequently withdrawn in January 2024, after the [[Sixth National Government of New Zealand]] was elected.<ref>{{cite news |last= Craymer |first= Lucy |date= 26 January 2024 |title= New Zealand withdraws bill allowing 16-year-olds to vote in local body elections |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-withdraws-bill-allowing-16-year-olds-vote-local-body-elections-2024-01-26/ |work= Reuters |access-date= 13 June 2024}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom ===
The [[Representation of the People Act 1969]] lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 for elections to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]], the first major democratic nation to do so.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> The [[1970 United Kingdom general election]] is the first in which this Act had effect.

Men in military service who turned 19 during the first world war were entitled to vote in 1918 irrespective of their age as part of the [[Representation of the People Act 1918]] which also allowed some women over the age of 30 to vote.  The [[Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928]] brought the voting age for women down to 21.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ROYAL ASSENT. (Hansard, 2 July 1928) |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1928/jul/02/royal-assent |website=api.parliament.uk |access-date=5 February 2020 |archive-date=14 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614045352/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1928/jul/02/royal-assent |url-status=live }}</ref>

The reduction of the voting age to 16 in the United Kingdom was first given serious consideration in 1999, when the House of Commons considered in Committee an amendment proposed by [[Simon Hughes]] to the Representation of the People Bill.<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmhansrd/vo991215/debtext/91215-steven smells14.htm#91215-14_time0 HC Deb, 15 December 1999, Vol. 341, cc. 305-338.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093139/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmhansrd/vo991215/debtext/91215-steven |date=18 April 2018 }} Retrieved 3 November 2007.</ref> This was the first time the reduction of a voting age below 18 had ever been put to a vote in the Commons.<ref name="c336">[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmhansrd/vo991215/debtext/91215-steven smells14.htm#91215-14_time0 HC Deb, 15 December 1999, Vol. 341, c. 336.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093139/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmhansrd/vo991215/debtext/91215-steven |date=18 April 2018 }} Retrieved 3 November 2007.</ref> The Government opposed the amendment, and it was defeated by 434 votes to 36.<ref name="c336"/>

The [[Votes at 16]] coalition, a group of political and charitable organizations supporting a reduction of the voting age to 16, was launched on in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title='A real chance to improve British Politics' - Votes at 16 Campaign Launches|publisher=Votes at 16|date=29 January 2003|url=http://www.votesat16.org.uk/news/000005/a_real_chance_to_improve_british_politics__votes_at_16_campaign_launches.html|access-date=3 November 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117063632/http://www.votesat16.org.uk/news/000005/a_real_chance_to_improve_british_politics__votes_at_16_campaign_launches.html|archive-date=17 November 2007}}</ref> At that time a [[Private Member's Bill]] was also proposed in the [[House of Lords]] by [[Ralph Palmer, 12th Baron Lucas|Lord Lucas]].<ref>The [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldbills/010/2003010.htm Voting Age (Reduction to 16) Bill (HL)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093012/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldbills/010/2003010.htm |date=18 April 2018 }}.</ref>

In 2004, the [[Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)|UK Electoral Commission]] conducted a major consultation on the subject of the voting age and [[age of candidacy]], and received a significant response. In its conclusions, it recommended that the voting age remain at 18.<ref>[http://www.bibliotheque.assnat.qc.ca/01/mono/2005/10/826116.pdf ''Age of Electoral Majority''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710072228/http://www.bibliotheque.assnat.qc.ca/01/mono/2005/10/826116.pdf |date=10 July 2007 }}, Electoral Commission, 19 April 2004, para. 8.16</ref> In 2005, the House of Commons voted 136-128 (on a [[free vote]]) against a Private Member's Bill for a reduction in the voting age to 16 proposed by [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] MP [[Stephen Williams (British politician)|Stephen Williams]]. Parliament chose not to include a provision reducing the voting age in the [[Electoral Administration Act 2006|Electoral Administration Act]] during its passage in 2006.

The report of the [[Power Inquiry]] in 2006 called for a reduction of the voting age, and of the candidacy age for the House of Commons, to 16.<ref>{{cite news|title=Political system faces 'meltdown'|work=[[BBC News]]|date=27 February 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4753876.stm|archive-date=27 August 2007|access-date=3 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827150636/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4753876.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]], [[Gordon Brown]], indicated in an article in [[The Guardian]] that he favored a reduction provided it was made concurrently with effective [[citizenship education (subject)|citizenship education]].<ref>{{cite news|title=And so does Gordon Brown|publisher=Votes at 16|date=27 February 2006|url=http://www.votesat16.org.uk/news/000134/and_so_does_gordon_brown.html|access-date=3 November 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117063519/http://www.votesat16.org.uk/news/000134/and_so_does_gordon_brown.html|archive-date=17 November 2007}}</ref>

The [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Justice]] published in 2007 a [[Green Paper]] entitled The Governance of Britain, in which it proposed the establishment of a "Youth Citizenship Commission".<ref>[http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm71/7170/7170.pdf ''The Governance of Britain''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201132614/http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm71/7170/7170.pdf |date=1 December 2007 }}, [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|UK Ministry of Justice]], 3 July 2007, para. 190. Retrieved 5 July 2007.</ref> The Commission would examine the case for lowering the voting age. On launching the paper in the House of Commons, [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] Gordon Brown said: "Although the voting age has been 18 since 1969, it is right, as part of that debate, to examine, and hear from young people themselves, whether lowering that age would increase participation."<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070703/debtext/70703-0004.htm HC Deb, 3 July 2007, Vol. 462, c. 819.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802153752/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070703/debtext/70703-0004.htm |date=2 August 2017 }} Retrieved 5 July 2007.</ref>

During the Youth Parliament debates of in 2009 in the House of Commons, Votes at 16 was debated and young people of that age group voted for it overwhelmingly as a campaign priority. In April 2015, Labour announced that it would support the policy if it won an overall majority in the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]],<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/04/07/labour-vow-to-lower-voting-age-to-16_n_7015622.html Labour Vows To Lower Voting Age To 16]. Huffington Post (UK edition). Published 7 April 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2017.</ref> which it failed to do.

Surrounding [[Brexit]], in June 2016, the government was criticised for not lowering the voting age to 16 for the [[referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2016 |title=Young people are gathering at Parliament furious at not being given the vote |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-eu-referendum-latest-protest-young-people-parliament-vote-a7101701.html |website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |language=en-GB |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920001434/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-eu-referendum-latest-protest-young-people-parliament-vote-a7101701.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=Dan |date=24 June 2016 |title=Young voters wanted Brexit the least - and must live with it the longest |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/young-voters-wanted-brexit-least-8271517 |website=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref>

In July 2024 however, [[Keir Starmer]] the current leader of the UK [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], became elected as [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]]. As part of the parties 2024 manifesto (in the run up to the general election) Labour maintained this previous position, Keir Starmer himself confirming that he would lower the voting age from 18 to 16 in all elections (if elected). Prior to the 2024 election, the voting age in both [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]] was and is already set at 16, by the relevant governments of both UK nations (see detail specifics below).

In July 2025, the government announced that the minimum voting age for all elections in the UK would be reduced to 16 by the 2029 [[General election (UK)|general election]], branding it a "seismic" change, in addition to adding [[Payment card|bank cards]] as valid [[Voter identification laws|voter ID]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-17 |title=Voting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c628ep4j5kno |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=17 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717102421/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c628ep4j5kno |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Scotland ====
The [[Scottish National Party]] conference voted unanimously on 27 October 2007 for a policy of reducing the voting age to 16 (the [[age of majority]] in Scotland), as well as in favour of a campaign for the necessary power to be devolved to the [[Scottish Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news|title='Vote at 16' move backed by SNP|work=[[BBC News]]|date=27 October 2007|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7065046.stm|archive-date=28 October 2007|access-date=3 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028151250/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7065046.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2011, it was announced that the voting age was likely to be reduced from 18 to 16 for the [[Scottish independence referendum]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article3167034.ece|title=16-year-olds likely to get the vote on Union split|last=Macdonnell|first=Hamish|date=17 September 2011|work=The Times Scotland|publisher=Times Newspapers Limited|location=London|archive-date=30 November 2016|access-date=3 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130164912/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article3167034.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> This was approved by the Scottish Parliament in June 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scottish independence: Referendum voting age bill approved by MSPs|work=[[BBC News]]|date=27 June 2013|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23074572|archive-date=29 October 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029022347/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23074572|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2015, the [[Scottish Parliament]] voted unanimously to reduce the voting age to 16 for elections for the Scottish Parliament and for Scottish [[Local government in Scotland|local government]] elections. The voting age in Scotland remains 18 for UK general elections.<ref name="scotlandcut">{{cite news |date=18 June 2015 |title=Cut in Scottish voting age passed unanimously |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33173488 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407010142/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33173488 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Wales ====
Major reforms were recommended in 2017 in the 'A Parliament That Works For Wales' report, by the expert panel on Assembly Electoral Reform led by Professor [[Laura McAllister]]. It included increasing the size of the Assembly, adapting or changing the electoral system and reducing the age of voting to 16.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Parliament That Works For Wales|url=https://senedd.wales/NAfW%20Documents/About%20the%20Assembly%20section%20documents/Expert%20Panel%20on%20Assembly%20Electoral%20Reform/A%20Parliament%20that%20Works%20for%20Wales.pdf|date=Nov 2017}}</ref>

The [[Senedd Commission|Welsh Assembly's Commission]], the corporate body, introduced a bill in 2019 to reduce the voting age to 16 and change the Assembly's name to Senedd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://senedd.wales/laid%20documents/pri-ld12142/pri-ld12142-e.pdf|title=Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill [AS INTRODUCED]|access-date=11 May 2020|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512102540/https://senedd.wales/laid%20documents/pri-ld12142/pri-ld12142-e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Senedd|National Assembly for Wales]] passed the [[Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020|Senedd and Election (Wales) Act]] later that year.<ref name="WAG">{{cite web|url=http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/documents/s96314/Senedd%20and%20Elections%20Wales%20Bill,%20as%20passed%20unchecked.pdf|title=Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill|publisher=Senedd|access-date=24 December 2019|archive-date=28 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128145129/http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/documents/s96314/Senedd%2520and%2520Elections%2520Wales%2520Bill,%2520as%2520passed%2520unchecked.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> A vote to remove this enfranchisement was defeated by 41 votes to 11. The first election to include the biggest enfranchisement in Welsh politics since 1969 was the [[2021 Senedd election]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Assembly passes new law to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in Welsh elections|url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2019-11-27/assembly-passes-new-law-to-give-16-and-17-year-olds-the-right-to-vote-in-welsh-elections/|website=ITV News|date=27 November 2019|language=en|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=11 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511204456/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2019-11-27/assembly-passes-new-law-to-give-16-and-17-year-olds-the-right-to-vote-in-welsh-elections/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Welsh Government]] also legislated for the enfranchisement of 16- and 17-year-olds in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act, which received royal assent in 2021. The changes – which included lowering the voting age to 16 for local elections in Wales – were in place for local Welsh elections in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01747/ |title= Voting age |last= Johnston |first= Neil |date= 17 July 2025 |website= parliament.uk |publisher= House of Commons Library |access-date= 20 July 2025 |archive-date= 24 July 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240724193232/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01747/ |url-status= live }}</ref> The voting age in Wales remains at 18 for UK general elections.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Major local electoral changes include votes at 16|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-50419406|date=18 November 2019|work=BBC|access-date=18 April 2020|archive-date=20 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120104549/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-50419406|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Bill to revolutionise local government and democracy passed in the Senedd|url=https://gov.wales/bill-revolutionise-local-government-and-democracy-passed-senedd|access-date=2021-01-21|website=GOV.WALES|date=18 November 2020|language=en|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128211920/https://gov.wales/bill-revolutionise-local-government-and-democracy-passed-senedd|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=18 November 2019|title=Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021|url=https://business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=26688|access-date=21 January 2021|website=Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament|language=en-gb|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121103229/https://business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=26688|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== British Overseas Territories ====
The [[British Overseas Territory|British Overseas Territories]] are those parts of the British Realm that lie outside the archipelago of the British Isles. Before 1983, they were termed ''British colonies'', and, from 1983 to 2002, ''British Dependent Territories'').

The voting age in the British Overseas Territories for the United Kingdom Parliamentary elections would be the same as in that part of the realm that lies within the British Isles. However no electoral district has ever been created for any such territory, and British nationals from the territories must first establish residency in an existing electoral district in order to exercise their voting rights in national elections.

Local elected legislatures were established in [[Colony of Virginia|Virginia]] in 1619 and [[Bermuda]] (originally settled as part of Virginia) in 1620. After the [[Act of Union 1707]], sovereignty remained with the British parliament, which asserted its right to legislate for the colonies,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9708 |title=Representing the Overseas Territories in the UK Parliament and Government |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=7 February 2023 |website=UK Parliament (House of Commons Library) |publisher=UK Government |access-date=14 January 2024 |quote=All the Territories have a UK-appointed Governor, who generally holds responsibility for managing the Territory’s external affairs, defence and internal security like the police, and often the power to make or veto laws.......As a matter of constitutional law, the UK Parliament has unlimited power to legislate for the Territories. However, passing legislation for the Territories is rare. |archive-date=19 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419051118/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9708/ |url-status=live }}</ref> though in practice certain competencies were delegated by the British government to the local governments (varying depending upon the degree of representation in the local government of each colony).

Since the 1960s, most of the remaining colonies have been given elected legislatures similar to Bermuda's (or the Councils that advise the appointed governors, originally made up only of appointees, now include elected members), with the enfranchisement for local elections determined by local legislation (subject, like all local legislation, to the approval of the national government). In [[Anguilla]], Bermuda, the [[British Virgin Islands]], the [[Cayman Islands]], the [[Falkland Islands]], [[Gibraltar]], [[Montserrat]], the [[Pitcairn Islands]], [[Saint Helena]] (and presumably [[Ascension Island]] and [[Tristan da Cunha]]), and [[Turks and Caicos Islands]] the current voting ages for local elections are all 18. There are no permanent inhabitants, and no local legislatures, in [[British Antarctic Territory]], [[British Indian Ocean Territory]], and [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]]. Under the agreement with [[Cyprus]] by which Britain retained the Sovereign Base Areas of [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia]], the British government agreed not to set up and administer "colonies" and not to allow new settlement of people in the Sovereign Base Areas other than for temporary purposes. There is no local legislature, and consequently there are no local elections.

==== Crown Dependencies ====
As of 2025, the voting age in all [[Crown Dependencies|British Crown Dependencies]] is now set at '''16'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elections and Voting (Isle of Man Government) |url=https://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/elections-and-voting/ |website=Isle of Man Government |access-date=27 January 2025 |archive-date=4 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204073836/https://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/elections-and-voting/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Elections - reduction in voting age to 16 |url=https://statesassembly.je/publications/propositions/2007/p-63-2007 |website=Jersey (States Assembly)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=States of Guernsey voted to lower the voting age |url=https://history.gg/guernsey-voting-age/ |website=history.gg |date=31 October 1972 |access-date=27 January 2025 |archive-date=15 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315080730/https://history.gg/guernsey-voting-age/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{Cite web |title=Alderney gives 16 year olds the right to vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-63033445 |website=[[BBC News]] |date=26 September 2022 |access-date=2 July 2023 |archive-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024081644/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-63033445 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":10" />

Moves to lower the voting age to 16 were first successful in the three British [[Crown dependencies]] from 2006 to 2008. The [[Isle of Man]] was the first to amend previous legislation in 2006, when it reduced the voting age to 16 for its [[House of Keys|general elections]], with the House of Keys approving the move by 19 votes to 4.<ref>{{cite news|title=Teenagers vote in Manx election|work=[[BBC News]] |date=13 July 2006|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/isle_of_man/5175426.stm}}</ref>

[[Jersey]] followed suit in 2007, when it approved a reduction of the voting age to 16. The [[States of Jersey]] voted narrowly in favour, by 25 votes to 21,<ref>[http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/view_vote.asp?id_number=577 Vote P63/2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030555/http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/view_vote.asp?id_number=577 |date=28 September 2007 }}, [[States of Jersey]], 4 July 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2007.</ref> and the legislative amendments were adopted.<ref>[http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/documents/minutes/8199-16502-4102007.htm States of Jersey Minutes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607150754/http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/documents/minutes/8199-16502-4102007.htm |date=7 June 2011 }}, 26 September 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2007.</ref> The law was sanctioned by [[Order in Council]],<ref name="PC sanction">[http://www.privycouncil.gov.uk/files/word/List%20December%202007.doc ORDERS APPROVED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 12 December 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216060420/http://www.privycouncil.gov.uk/files/word/List%20December%202007.doc |date=16 February 2008 }}, [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] Office, 20 December 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2008.</ref><ref name="Jersey law">[https://archive.today/20130218152328/http://www.jerseylegalinfo.je/Law/display.aspx?url=lawsinforce%5Chtm%5CLawFiles%5C2008/L-01-2008.htm Public Elections (Amendment No. 2) (Jersey) Law 2008], Jersey Legal Information Board. Retrieved 15 January 2008.</ref> and was brought into force in time for the [[2008 Jersey general election|general elections in late 2008]].<ref>[http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/documents/propositions/8355-38690-1552007.htm ''Public Elections: reduction in voting age to 16''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928030342/http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/documents/propositions/8355-38690-1552007.htm |date=28 September 2007 }}, [[States of Jersey]], 15 May 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2007.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Elections (Amendment No. 2) (Jersey) Law 2007 (Appointed Day) Act 2008 |url=https://www.jerseylaw.je/laws/enacted/Pages/RO-041-2008.aspx |access-date=30 March 2022|website=[[Jersey Legal Information Board]]}}</ref>

In 2007, a proposal<ref>{{cite news|title=Give our young people a voice|work=The Guernsey Press and Star|date=18 September 2007|url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/code/showarchive.pl?ArticleID=002703&year=2007&category=news|access-date=23 September 2007|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614044729/http://www.thisisguernsey.com/code/showarchive.pl?ArticleID=002703&year=2007&category=news|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="States of Guernsey">[http://www.gov.gg/ccm/policy-and-hr/billets--resolutions/2007/blllet-dtat---xxii-2007-october.en Billet d'État XXII 2007 (October) & Resolutions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723180910/http://www.gov.gg/ccm/policy-and-hr/billets--resolutions/2007/blllet-dtat---xxii-2007-october.en |date=23 July 2011 }}, [[States of Guernsey]]. Retrieved 20 December 2007.</ref> for a reduction (in voting age to 16) made by the House Committee of the [[States of Guernsey]], and approved by the States' Policy Committee, was adopted by the assembly by 30 votes to 15.<ref name="States of Guernsey"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Too young at 16 to vote&nbsp;– deputy|work=The Guernsey Press and Star|date=2 November 2007|url=http://www.thisisguernsey.com/code/shownewsarticle.pl?ArticleID=002891|access-date=3 November 2007|archive-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093110/http://www.thisisguernsey.com/code/shownewsarticle.pl?ArticleID=002891|url-status=dead}}</ref> An Order in Council sanctioned the law,<ref name="PC sanction"/> and it was registered at the Court of Guernsey. It came into force immediately, and the voting age was accordingly reduced in time for the [[2008 Guernsey general election]].<ref name="Guernsey Court">{{cite news|title=16 Year Olds Can Vote in General Election|publisher=States of Guernsey&nbsp;— The Official Guernsey Government Website|date=19 December 2007|url=http://www.gov.gg/ccm/policy-and-hr/press-release/2007/december/16-Year-Olds-can-Vote-in-General-Election.en|access-date=15 January 2008}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2022, both [[Alderney]] and [[Sark]] passed legislation which lowered the voting age to 16 for all elections going forward.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=16 and 17-year-olds given voting rights in Sark |url=https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2022-11-18/sark-voting-age-lowered-to-16 |website=ITVX |access-date=27 January 2025 |archive-date=27 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127042718/https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2022-11-18/sark-voting-age-lowered-to-16 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== United States ===
[[File:Voting Rights for 17-year-olds in US States.svg|thumb|left|Blue indicates a state that allows 17-year-olds who will turn 18 on or before election day to vote in caucuses or primaries. Pink indicates states that allow 17-year-olds to participate in presidential caucuses, but may not vote in primary elections for other offices.]]

In the United States, the debate about lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 began during [[World War II]] and intensified during the [[Vietnam War]], when most of those subjected to the draft were too young to vote, and the image of young men being forced to risk their lives in the military without the privileges of voting successfully pressured legislators to lower the voting age nationally and in many states. By 1968, several states had lowered the voting age below 21 years: In 1959, Alaska entered the Union with a minimum age of 19 and Hawaii with 20.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|title=Constitution lowers voting age to 19|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BSwmAAAAIBAJ&pg=770%2C2580870|work=Baltimore Afro-American|date=6 April 1968|archive-date=12 May 2021|access-date=29 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512101351/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BSwmAAAAIBAJ&pg=770%2C2580870|url-status=live}}</ref> while Georgia<ref name="auto"/> and Kentucky's was 18.<ref>{{cite web |title=Section 145 Persons entitled to vote. |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Law/Constitution/Constitution/ViewConstitution?rsn=166 |website=Constitution of Kentucky |publisher=Kentucky Legislative Research Commission |access-date=12 March 2020 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111235638/https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Law/Constitution/Constitution/ViewConstitution?rsn=166 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1970, the Supreme Court in ''[[Oregon v. Mitchell]]'' ruled that Congress had the right to regulate the minimum voting age in federal elections; however, it decided it could not regulate it at local and state level.

The [[Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution]] (passed and ratified in 1971)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/topics/the-26th-amendment|title=The 26th Amendment|publisher=A&E Television Networks|year=1996|access-date=10 September 2013|archive-date=22 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822161143/http://www.history.com/topics/the-26th-amendment|url-status=live}}</ref> prevents states from setting a voting age higher than 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-CONAN-2014/pdf/GPO-CONAN-2014-10-27.pdf |title=GovInfo. U.S. Government Publishing Office|publisher=GovInfo|year=2014}}</ref> Except for the express limitations provided for in Amendments XIV, XV, XIX and XXVI, voter qualifications for House and Senate elections are largely delegated to the States under Article I, Section 2 and Amendment XVII of the United States Constitution, which respectively state that "The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and ''the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature''." and "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The ''electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures''."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html|title=Transcript of the Constitution of the United States - Official Text|work=archives.gov|date=30 January 2015|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-date=19 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819235454/http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Seventeen states permit 17-year-olds to vote in [[primary elections]] and caucuses if they will be 18 by election day: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/16%20Regular/bills/house/HB0138.pdf|title=House Bill 138, 52ND LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2016|last=Steinborn|first=Jeff|website=New Mexico Legislature|access-date=11 March 2016|archive-date=12 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312010318/http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/16%20Regular/bills/house/HB0138.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. Iowa, Minnesota, and Nevada allow 17-year-olds to participate in all presidential caucuses, but may not vote in primary elections for other offices. Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Washington, and Wyoming allow 17-year-olds to participate in only Democratic caucuses, but not in the Republican caucus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairvote.org/reforms/universal-voter-registration/17-year-old-primary-voting-2/|title=FairVote.org - 17-year-old Primary Voting|work=FairVote|access-date=7 November 2014|archive-date=7 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107022228/http://www.fairvote.org/reforms/universal-voter-registration/17-year-old-primary-voting-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

All states allow someone not yet 18 to preregister to vote. Fifteen states — California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, and Washington — and Washington, D.C., allow 16-year-olds to preregister. In Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia, 17-year-olds can preregister. Alaska allows a teen to preregister within 90 days of their 18th birthday. Georgia, Iowa, and Missouri allow 17.5-year-olds to preregister if they turn 18 before the next election. Texas allows someone 17 year and 10 months old to preregister. The remaining states, excepting North Dakota, do not specify an age for preregistration so long as the teen will be 18 by the next election (usually the next general election). North Dakota does not require voter registration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-21 |title=Preregistration for Young Voters |url=https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/preregistration-for-young-voters.aspx |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=National Conference of State Legislatures |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012232034/https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/preregistration-for-young-voters.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 3 April 2019, [[Andrew Yang]] became the first major presidential candidate to advocate for the United States to lower its voting age to 16.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=AndrewYang |author-link=Andrew Yang |number=1113532385298194432 |date=3 April 2019 || title=New policy #7 - Lower the Voting Age to 16. Getting young people voting early makes them voters for life. Our politics will affect young people for decades to come. They should have a say in their own future. }}</ref> At 16, Americans do not have hourly limits imposed on their work, and they pay taxes. According to Yang, their livelihoods are directly impacted by legislation, and they should therefore be allowed to vote for their representatives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yang2020.com/policies/votingage/|access-date=4 May 2019|title=Lower the Voting Age to 16|archive-date=26 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826125216/https://www.yang2020.com/policies/votingage/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2018, a bill in the [[Council of the District of Columbia]] was proposed to lower the voting age to 16, which would make the federal district the first jurisdiction to lower the voting age for federal level elections.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/17/washington-d-c-may-allow-16-year-olds-vote-president-2020-election/523301002/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Washington, D.C., may allow 16-year-olds to vote for president in the 2020 election|date=17 April 2018|archive-date=20 April 2018|access-date=19 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420135409/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/17/washington-d-c-may-allow-16-year-olds-vote-president-2020-election/523301002/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Washington D.C., Council Member Charles Allen sponsored a debate on whether or not the city should lower the voting age to 16 for all elections, including the presidential election in the city. Allen gained a magnitude of public support although the measure to lower the age of voting stalled.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Douglas |first=Joshua |author1-link=Joshua Douglas |title=Lowering the Voting Age from the Ground Up: The United States' Experience in Allowing 16-Year Olds to Vote. |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2019}}</ref>

==== Youth voting at the local level ====
In 2013, the [[Takoma Park, Maryland|City of Takoma Park, Maryland]], became the first place in the United States to lower its voting age to 16 for municipal elections and referendums.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/takoma-park-grants-16-year-olds-right-to-vote/2013/05/14/b27c52c4-bccd-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_story.html|title=Takoma Park grants 16-year-olds right to vote|work=WashingtonPost.com|date=14 May 2013|first=Lindsay A.|last=Powers|archive-date=1 December 2020|access-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201211103/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/takoma-park-grants-16-year-olds-right-to-vote/2013/05/14/b27c52c4-bccd-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/05/election-day-weird/3448145/|newspaper=USA Today|title=16-year-olds voting? Secession? 5 Election Day oddities|date=6 November 2013|archive-date=14 March 2018|access-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314104538/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/05/election-day-weird/3448145/|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, [[Greenbelt, Maryland|Greenbelt]], [[Hyattsville, Maryland|Hyattsville]], [[Riverdale Park, Maryland|Riverdale Park]], [[Mount Rainier, Maryland|Mount Rainier]], [[Somerset, Maryland|Somerset]], [[Cheverly]] and [[Chevy Chase, Maryland|Chevy Chase]] had followed suit.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://vote16usa.org/project/maryland/|title=Maryland|publisher=Vote16USA|access-date=2022-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Peveto |first=Brett |date=2023-09-19 |title=Some Maryland Communities Lowering Voting Age to 16 |url=https://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/86383-1 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Public News Service |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202162027/https://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/86383-1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Fred |date=2024-01-13 |title=DC Suburb Expands Voting Rights to Minors |url=https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/01/12/dc-suburb-expands-voting-rights-to-minors/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=The Daily Signal |archive-date=2 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702202601/https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/01/12/dc-suburb-expands-voting-rights-to-minors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Brattleboro, Vermont]] has implemented a similar measure despite a veto attempt by the governor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-20 |title=With veto overrides, lawmakers expand voter eligibility in Brattleboro, Burlington |url=https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2023-06-20/with-veto-overrides-lawmakers-expand-voter-eligibility-in-brattleboro-burlington |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Vermont Public |language=en |archive-date=2 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702202602/https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2023-06-20/with-veto-overrides-lawmakers-expand-voter-eligibility-in-brattleboro-burlington |url-status=live }}</ref>

Starting in 2024, 16 and 17-year-olds can vote on School Board races in [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]],<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Finney |first=Annelise |date=2024-08-17 |title=How Teen Voters in Berkeley, Oakland Can Shape Upcoming School Board Elections |url=https://www.kqed.org/news/12000395/how-teen-voters-in-berkeley-oakland-can-shape-upcoming-school-board-elections |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[KQED, Inc.]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Oakland, California|Oakland]]<ref name=":8" /> and [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tully |first=Tracey |date=2024-01-10 |title=In Newark, 16-Year-Olds Win the Right to Vote in School Board Races |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/nyregion/newark-voting-age.html |access-date=2024-08-18 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918235557/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/nyregion/newark-voting-age.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Massachusetts, the state has blocked efforts to lower the voting age for local elections to 16 in [[Ashfield, Massachusetts|Ashfield]], [[Boston]], [[Brookline, Massachusetts|Brookline]], [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], [[Concord, Massachusetts|Concord]], [[Harwich, Massachusetts|Harwich]], [[Lowell, Massachusetts|Lowell]], [[Northampton, Massachusetts|Northampton]], [[Shelburne, Massachusetts|Shelburne]], [[Somerville, Massachusetts|Somerville]], and [[Wendell, Massachusetts|Wendell]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wintersmith |first=Saraya |date=2022-11-28 |title=Boston to Weigh Teenagers Voting in Local Elections |language=en |work=WGBH |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2022/11/28/boston-to-weigh-teenagers-voting-in-local-elections |access-date=2022-11-30 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130175645/https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2022/11/28/boston-to-weigh-teenagers-voting-in-local-elections |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Drysdale |first=Sam |date=2022-12-01 |title=City Council backs lower voting age in Boston |language=en |work=WBUR |agency=State House News Service |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/12/01/boston-16-17-year-old-voters-council-approval |access-date=2022-12-31}}</ref>

==== Debate on increasing the voting age ====
During the [[2024 Republican Party presidential primaries]], [[Vivek Ramaswamy]] announced that he favored raising the voting age to 25 in most circumstances. The policy change, which would have to be done through a [[List of proposed amendments to the United States Constitution|constitutional amendment]], would only allow for citizens between 18 and 24 to vote if they are enlisted in the [[US military|military]], work as [[First responder|first-responder]] personnel, or pass a civics test.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allison |first=Natalie |date=2023-05-10 |title=Vivek Ramaswamy wants to raise the voting age. Even his staff doesn't like the idea. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/10/ramaswamy-raise-voting-age-00096266 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=POLITICO |language=en |archive-date=12 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512234825/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/10/ramaswamy-raise-voting-age-00096266 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Venezuela ===
A request to lower the voting age to 16 was made during consideration of revisions to the [[Constitution of Venezuela]] in 2007. [[Cilia Flores]], president of the [[National Assembly of Venezuela|National Assembly]], announced that the Mixed Committee for Constitutional Reform had found the idea acceptable. Following approval in the legislature<ref>{{cite news|first=Matthew|last=Walter|title=Venezuela May Lower Voting Age, Add Gay Rights in Constitution|publisher=Bloomberg.com|date=11 October 2007|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aqg5jOxmM.Vg&refer=latin_america|access-date=13 October 2007|archive-date=29 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529022138/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aqg5jOxmM.Vg&refer=latin_america|url-status=live}}</ref> the amendment formed part of the package of constitutional proposals, and was defeated in the [[2007 Venezuelan constitutional referendum|2007 referendum]].

==Maximum voting age==
There are occasional calls for a maximum voting age, on the grounds that older people have less of a stake in the future of the country or jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Van Parijs |first1=Philippe |date=1998 |title=The Disfranchisement of the Elderly, and Other Attempts to Secure Intergenerational Justice |url=http://profs-polisci.mcgill.ca/muniz/intergen/Van%20Parijs%20-%20Disenfranchisement%20of%20the%20elderly.pdf |journal=Philosophy & Public Affairs |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=292–333 |doi=10.1111/j.1088-4963.1998.tb00072.x |access-date=2020-11-16 |archive-date=27 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627113618/http://profs-polisci.mcgill.ca/muniz/intergen/Van%20Parijs%20-%20Disenfranchisement%20of%20the%20elderly.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In fact, however, the only jurisdiction with a maximum voting age is the [[Vatican City State]] whose sovereign, (the [[Pope]]) is elected by the [[College of Cardinals]]. A Cardinal must be below the age of 80 on the date of the previous Pope's death or resignation, in order to vote to elect a new Pope.<ref>Pope John Paul II. Apostolic Constitution ''Universi Dominici Gregis''. 22 February 1996.</ref>

==List by country==
18 is the most common voting age. In some countries and territories 16 or 17 year-olds can vote in at least some elections. Examples of places with full enfranchisement for those aged 16 or 17 include Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, East Timor, Greece, and Indonesia.[[File:Voting_Age_-_Global.svg|center|thumb| Minimum voting age by country {{legend|#000000|No elections}}{{legend|#27a9cd|age 25}}{{legend|#fc8d62|age 21}}{{legend|#c962fc|age 20}}{{legend|#8da0cb|age 19}}{{legend|#66c2a5|age 18}}{{legend|#e78ac3|age 17}}{{legend|#a6d854|age 16}}{{legend|#c0c0c0|Unknown/No data}}|700x700px]]

The following is an alphabetical list of voting ages in the various countries and territories of the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aceproject.org/epic-en/CDTable?question=VR001#g|title=Comparative Data —|work=aceproject.org|access-date=14 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107110146/http://aceproject.org/epic-en/CDTable?question=VR001#g|archive-date=7 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
!Country
!Age
!Comment
|-
| {{flag|Afghanistan}}|| N/A || No elections<ref>{{cite news |date=25 December 2021 |title=Taliban Dissolves Afghanistan's Election Commission, Saying 'There Is No Need' |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-dissolves-afghan-election-commission/31626045.html |access-date=18 November 2022 |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524043042/https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-dissolves-afghan-election-commission/31626045.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Albania}}|| 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Alderney}}|| 16 ||
|-
| {{flag|Algeria}}|| 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|American Samoa}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Andorra}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Angola}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Anguilla}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Antigua and Barbuda}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Argentina}} || 16 || Compulsory between 18 and 70. However, persons 15 years of age are permitted to vote in primary elections if they will be 16 years of age on or before the day of the general election.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cronista.com/economia-politica/paso-2021-cuales-son-los-documentos-validos-para-ir-a-votar | title=PASO 2021: Cuáles son los documentos válidos para ir a votar | date=7 September 2021 | access-date=18 November 2022 | archive-date=18 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118202735/https://www.cronista.com/economia-politica/paso-2021-cuales-son-los-documentos-validos-para-ir-a-votar/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Armenia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Aruba}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Australia}} || 18 || Compulsory
|-
| {{flag|Austria}} || 16 || <ref name="final Austria Bill2">[http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/pls/portal/docs/page/PG/DE/XXIII/I/I_00129/FNAMEORIG_079516.HTML 31/BNR (XXIII. GP) Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070929093109/http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.parlinkom.gv.at/pls/portal/docs/page/PG/DE/XXIII/I/I_00129/FNAMEORIG_079516.HTML|date=29 September 2007}}, ss. 1, 5 and 25, Republik Österreich Parlament (German). Retrieved 1 July 2007.</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Azerbaijan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Bahamas}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Bahrain}} || 20 || <ref>{{Cite web|title=IPU PARLINE database: BAHRAIN (Majlis Al-Nuwab), Electoral system|url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2371_B.htm|website=archive.ipu.org|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=25 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125030811/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2371_B.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Bangladesh}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Barbados}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Belarus}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Belgium}} || 18 || 16 in European elections since 2023<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Voting Age Status Report – NYRA |date=23 June 2011 |url=https://www.youthrights.org/issues/voting-age/voting-age-status-report/ |access-date=2023-01-15 |language=en-US |archive-date=24 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424071436/https://www.youthrights.org/issues/voting-age/voting-age-status-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Belize}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Benin}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Bermuda}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Bhutan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Bolivia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} || 18 ||16 if employed<ref name=":9"/>
|-
| {{flag|Botswana}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Brazil}} || 16 || Compulsory for 18 to 70; optional for [[Illiteracy|illiterate]] citizens. Military conscripts cannot vote by law<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Suffrage - The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/suffrage |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=www.cia.gov |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027182300/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/suffrage |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|British Virgin Islands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Brunei}} || 18 || Village elections only
|-
| {{flag|Bulgaria}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Burkina Faso}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Burundi}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Cambodia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Cameroon}} || 20 ||
|-
| {{flag|Canada}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Cape Verde}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Cayman Islands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Central African Republic}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Chad}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Chile}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|China}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Cocos (Keeling) Islands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Colombia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Comoros}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Democratic Republic of  the Congo}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Republic of the Congo}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Cook Islands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Costa Rica}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Côte d'Ivoire}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Croatia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Cuba}} || 16 ||<ref name=":5" />
|-
| {{flag|Curaçao}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Cyprus}} || 17 ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cyprus lowers voting age to 17 |url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-lowers-voting-age-17-constitutional-amendment/ |website=Cyprus Mail |access-date=21 July 2025 |archive-date=12 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812234351/https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-lowers-voting-age-17-constitutional-amendment/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Czech Republic}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Denmark}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Djibouti}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Dominica}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Dominican Republic}} || 18 || Married persons regardless of age (members of the armed forces and national police cannot vote)
|-
| {{flag|East Timor}} || 17 ||
|-
| {{flag|Ecuador}} || 16 || Universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18–65, optional for other eligible voters
|-
| {{flag|Egypt}} || 18 ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Egypt — |url=https://aceproject.org/regions-en/countries-and-territories/EG |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=aceproject.org |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521162757/https://aceproject.org/regions-en/countries-and-territories/EG |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|El Salvador}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Equatorial Guinea}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Eritrea}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Estonia}} || 18 || 16 for local elections<ref name=":5" />
|-
| {{flag|Eswatini}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Ethiopia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Falkland Islands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Faroe Islands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Fiji}} || 18 || As of [[2013 Constitution of Fiji|2013 Constitution]]
|-
| {{flag|Finland}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|France}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|French Guiana}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|French Polynesia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Gabon}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Gambia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Georgia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Germany}} || 18 || Voting age 16 for state elections:

{{flag|Baden-Württemberg}}, {{flag|Berlin}}, {{flag|Brandenburg}}, {{flag|Bremen}}, {{flag|Hamburg}}, {{flag|Mecklenburg-Vorpommern}} and {{flag|Schleswig-Holstein}}.

Voting age 16 for municipal elections:

{{flag|Baden-Württemberg}}, {{flag|Berlin}}, {{flag|Brandenburg}}, {{flag|Bremen}}, {{flag|Hamburg}}, {{flag|Mecklenburg-Vorpommern}}, {{flag|Lower Saxony}}, {{flag|North Rhine-Westphalia}}, {{flag|Saxony-Anhalt}}, {{flag|Schleswig-Holstein}} and {{flag|Thuringia}}.<ref>[[w:de:Wahlrecht#Wahlalter|Wahlrecht Wikipedia]] German [[Wikipedia]] article containing all references for each state. Retrieved 11 October 2014.</ref>{{circular reference|date=August 2020}}

16 in European elections<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/german-expat-news/germany-lowers-voting-age-16-future-eu-elections| title=Germany lowers voting age to 16 for future EU| date=16 November 2022| access-date=2022-11-16| language=en-US| archive-date=12 August 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812125007/https://www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/german-expat-news/germany-lowers-voting-age-16-future-eu-elections| url-status=live}}</ref>

|-

|-
| {{flag|Ghana}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Gibraltar}} || 18 || Universal, plus other British citizens who have been residents six months or more
|-
| {{flag|Greece}} || 17 || 17 from July 2016 onwards,<ref>{{Citation|date=27 July 2016|url=http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wFHp_31M9ESQXdtvSoClrL8NXGWS3cU8Kt5MXD0LzQTLWPU9yLzB8V68knBzLCmTXKaO6fpVZ6Lx9hLslJUqeiQT0KQWhles74cYXM24iMng4dV6SZbxmK4oRQd575yNXQ.|volume=A|issue=133|trans-title=[[Government Gazette (Greece)|Government Gazette of the Hellenic Republic]]|location=Athens|publisher=National Publishing House|language=el|access-date=12 February 2019|script-title=el:Εφημερίδα της Κυβερνήσεως τη Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808002137/http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wFHp_31M9ESQXdtvSoClrL8NXGWS3cU8Kt5MXD0LzQTLWPU9yLzB8V68knBzLCmTXKaO6fpVZ6Lx9hLslJUqeiQT0KQWhles74cYXM24iMng4dV6SZbxmK4oRQd575yNXQ.|url-status=live}}</ref> was 18 prior. People that turn 17 in the year of the elections can also vote. This means that if a 16-year-old teen was born in the last day of 2005, he/she can vote in an election taking place in 2022.
|-
| {{flag|Greenland}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Grenada}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Guadeloupe}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Guam}} || 18 || US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections
|-
| {{flag|Guatemala}} || 18 || Active-duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day.
|-
| {{flag|Guernsey}} || 16 || <ref name="Guernsey law2">[http://www.gov.gg/ccm/navigation/government/states-of-guernsey/reform--guernsey--law--1948/ Reform (Guernsey) Law, 1948, s. 28(1)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704065105/http://www.gov.gg/ccm/navigation/government/states-of-guernsey/reform--guernsey--law--1948/|date=4 July 2008}}; amended by Reform (Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2007 (adopted on 31 October 2007, sanctioned on 12 December and registered and coming into force on 19 December).</ref><ref name=":5" />
|-
| {{flag|Guinea}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Guinea-Bissau}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Guyana}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Haiti}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Honduras}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Hong Kong}} || 18 || Direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies and a 1,200-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies.
|-
| {{flag|Hungary}} || 18 ||16 if married.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 2022 |title=Parliamentary elections and referendum. 3 April 2022. ODIHR Election Observation Mission. Final Report. |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/2/6/523568.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312145047/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/2/6/523568.pdf |archive-date=12 March 2024 |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=OSCE}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Iceland}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|India}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Indonesia}} || 17 || No threshold for married persons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gugatan syarat pemilih 17 tahun atau sudah kawin ditolak MK, Perludem: 'Manajemen pilkada makin diperumit' |url=https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/indonesia-51297595 |access-date=25 January 2022 |work=BBC News Indonesia |date=30 January 2020 |language=id |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609165403/https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/indonesia-51297595 |url-status=live }}</ref> The military and police cannot vote.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Salabi |first1=Amalia |title=Pembatasan Hak Pilih TNI/Polri di Indonesia, Masihkah Dipertahankan? |url=https://rumahpemilu.org/pembatasan-hak-pilih-tni-polri-di-indonesia-masihkah-dipertahankan/ |website=Rumah Pemilu |access-date=25 January 2022 |language=id |date=25 November 2020 |archive-date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529233744/https://rumahpemilu.org/pembatasan-hak-pilih-tni-polri-di-indonesia-masihkah-dipertahankan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Iran}} || 18 || Changed from 15 to 18 in 2007, returned to 15 in 2009 and returned to 18 in 2011.<ref name="Iran increase2">{{cite news|date=14 January 2007|title=Iran raises voting age to 18|publisher=[[Iran Focus]]|url=http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?view=article&id=9841|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629220648/http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?view=article&id=9841|archive-date=29 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=12 June 2009|title=Iran: Council of Ministers Approves Lowering Voting Age|url=https://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp3_l205401354_text|publisher=[[Library of Congress]]|access-date=29 December 2017|archive-date=1 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601074224/http://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp3_l205401354_text|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Voting Age back to 18|url=http://www1.jamejamonline.ir/newstext2.aspx?newsnum=100805645093|publisher=Jame Jam Online|access-date=14 June 2013|archive-date=13 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513041842/http://www1.jamejamonline.ir/newstext2.aspx?newsnum=100805645093|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=14 June 2013|title=Voting Age|url=http://www.khabaronline.ir/detail/298431?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=650&width=850&caption=RSS|publisher=Khabar Online|access-date=14 June 2013|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232809/http://www.khabaronline.ir/detail/298431?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=650&width=850&caption=RSS|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Iraq}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Ireland}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Isle of Man}} || 16|| <ref name=":5" />
|-
| {{flag|Israel}} || 18 || 17 for municipal elections; 17 year olds can also vote in national elections held after their 18th [[Hebrew calendar]] birthday.
|-
| {{flag|Italy}} || 18 || Lowered from 21 in 1975 for [[Chamber of Deputies (Italy)|Chamber of Deputies]] elections and referendums, and from 25 in 2021 for [[Senate of the Republic (Italy)|Senate]] elections.<ref name="Italy"/>
|-
| {{flag|Jamaica}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Japan}} || 18 || Lowered from 20 in June 2016. The voting age for constitutional referendums was lowered from 20 to 18 in June 2018.<ref>[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/08/national/politics-diplomacy/young-voters-hope-reform-japans-silver-democracy/ Young voters hope to reform Japan’s ‘silver democracy’] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616074310/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/08/national/politics-diplomacy/young-voters-hope-reform-japans-silver-democracy/ |date=16 June 2022 }}. ''The Japan Times''. Published 8 July 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/21/national/japan-lowers-minimum-voting-age-constitutional-referendums-18/ Japan lowers minimum voting age for constitutional referendums to 18] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609220322/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/21/national/japan-lowers-minimum-voting-age-constitutional-referendums-18/ |date=9 June 2022 }}. ''The Japan Times''. Published 21 June 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Jersey}} || 16|| <ref name=":5" />
|-
| {{flag|Jordan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Kazakhstan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Kenya}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Kiribati}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|North Korea}} || 17 || Members of the military have the right to vote, regardless of age.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 October 2010|title=NK constitute law|url=http://unibook.unikorea.go.kr/?sub_num=53&state=view&idx=369|publisher=Unibook.unikorea.go.kr|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=16 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116113144/http://unibook.unikorea.go.kr/?sub_num=53&state=view&idx=369|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|South Korea}} || 18 || Lowered from 19 in December 2019.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 December 2019|title=(3rd LD) National Assembly passes electoral reform bill amid opposition lawmakers' protest|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20191227003854315|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|access-date=8 January 2020|archive-date=16 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616054455/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20191227003854315|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Kosovo}} || 18 || <ref>[https://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/kosovo/ Kosovo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225934/https://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/kosovo/ |date=28 October 2019 }}. ''Youthpolicy.org''. Retrieved 6 January 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=7 September 2017|title=Legal Voting Age by Country|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/legal-voting-age-by-country.html|access-date=26 November 2019|website=WorldAtlas|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504183445/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/legal-voting-age-by-country.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Kuwait}} || 21 || For those not in the military or police forces; all voters must have been citizens for 20 years; current proposal for reduction to 18.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 January 2012|title=NA panel lowers voting age to 18|publisher=kuwaittimes.net|url=http://new.kuwaittimes.net/2012/01/18/proposal-to-bring-down-voting-age-to-18-years/|access-date=4 February 2012}}{{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Kyrgyzstan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Laos}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Latvia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Lebanon}} || 21 ||All men and women regardless of religion. Excludes convicts, imprisoned citizens, and military/security service personnel<ref name=":9"/>
|-
| {{flag|Lesotho}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Liberia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Libya}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Liechtenstein}} || 18 ||  Compulsory <ref>{{cite web|last=Omondi|first=Sharon|date=7 September 2017|title=Legal Voting Age by Country|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/legal-voting-age-by-country.html|access-date=20 January 2021|website=World Atlas|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504183445/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/legal-voting-age-by-country.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Lithuania}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Luxembourg}} || 18 || Compulsory until the age of 75. A proposal to lower the voting age to 16 was rejected in 2015 in a nationwide referendum (81% "no"-votes).
|-
| {{flag|Macau}} || 18 || Direct election 18 years of age, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (973 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies.
|-
| {{flag|Madagascar}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|North Macedonia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Malawi}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Malaysia}} || 18 ||Lowered from 21 in 2019 however did not take effect until 15 December 2021. 
|-
| {{flag|Maldives}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Mali}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Malta}} || 16|| <ref name=":6" />
|-
| {{flag|Marshall Islands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Martinique}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Mauritania}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Mauritius}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Mayotte}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Mexico}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Federated States of  Micronesia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Moldova}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Monaco}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Mongolia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Montenegro}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Montserrat}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Morocco}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Mozambique}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Myanmar}}|| 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Namibia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Nauru}} || 20 ||
|-
| {{flag|Nepal}} || 18  ||
|-
| {{flag|Netherlands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|New Caledonia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|New Zealand}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Nicaragua}} || 16|| <ref name=":5" />
|-
| {{flag|Niger}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Nigeria}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Niue}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Norfolk Island}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|North Macedonia}} || 18 ||
|-
|{{flag|Northern Cyprus}}
|18
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus |url=http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/main/polsyst/constitution/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=www.cypnet.co.uk |archive-date=25 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525163715/http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/main/polsyst/constitution/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Northern Mariana  Islands}} || 18 || Indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
|-
| {{flag|Norway}} || 18 || However, persons 17 years of age are permitted to vote in parliamentary elections if they will be 18 years of age in the year the election is held.
|-
| {{flag|Oman}} || 21 || Except for members of the military and police.
|-
| {{flag|Pakistan}} || 18 || Reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims
|-
| {{flag|Palau}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Palestine}} || 18 || West Bank and Gaza.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-10 |title=Palestinians open election registration offices in West Bank and Gaza |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/palestinians-politics-election-int-idUSKBN2AA1S7 |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109141336/https://www.reuters.com/article/palestinians-politics-election-int-idUSKBN2AA1S7 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Panama}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Papua New Guinea}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Paraguay}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Peru}} || 18 || Universal and compulsory until the age of 70; (members of the military and national police could not vote until a Constitutional Reform in 2005<ref>{{cite web|title=Militares y policías podrán votar en las próximas elecciones).|url=http://www.terra.com.pe/noticias/noticias/act507516/.html|access-date=15 January 2013|publisher=terra|archive-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108082942/https://store.movistar.com/sc/pe/movstore/?stdb=1546918182|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Philippines}} || 18 || For [[Sangguniang Kabataan|youth councils]]: 15 to 30<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2022 |title=RULES AND REGULATIONS ON THE RESUMPTION OF THE SYSTEM OF CONTINUING REGISTRATION OF VOTERS FOR THE DECEMBER 5, 2022 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS |url=https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/VoterRegistration/Resolutions/com_res_10798.pdf |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=[[Commission on Elections (Philippines)|Commission on Elections]] |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706144850/https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/VoterRegistration/Resolutions/com_res_10798.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Pitcairn Islands}} || 18 || Universal with three years' residency
|-
| {{flag|Poland}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Portugal}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Puerto Rico}} || 18 || Island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections. 16-year-olds may vote in local elections.
|-
| {{flag|Qatar}} || 18 ||Naturalized citizens cannot vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-09 |title=Qatar: Election Law Exposes Discriminatory Citizenship |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/09/09/qatar-election-law-exposes-discriminatory-citizenship |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402003303/https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/09/09/qatar-election-law-exposes-discriminatory-citizenship |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Réunion}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Romania}} || 18 || Planned lowering of the voting age to 16 (for local elections and for European Parliament elections) is currently underway and has been approved by the Senate in early September 2022. However the government opposes the decision as "unconstitutional". Brought into debate by the Romanian Students' Union in March 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/varsta-de-vot-coborata-la-16-ani-la-alegerile-locale-si-europarlamentare-senatul-a-adoptat-tacit-proiectul-de-lege.html | title=Vârsta de vot, redusă la 16 ani la alegerile locale şi europarlamentare. Senatul a adoptat tacit proiectul de lege | access-date=6 September 2022 | archive-date=7 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907063503/https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/varsta-de-vot-coborata-la-16-ani-la-alegerile-locale-si-europarlamentare-senatul-a-adoptat-tacit-proiectul-de-lege.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Russia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Rwanda}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Saint Helena}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Saint Lucia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Saint Pierre and  Miquelon}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Saint Vincent and the  Grenadines}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Samoa}} || 21 ||
|-
| {{flag|San Marino}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|São Tomé and Príncipe}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Sark}} || 16 ||
|-
| {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Senegal}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Serbia}} || 18 ||16 if employed<ref name=":9" />
|-
| {{flag|Seychelles}} || 18 || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ecs.sc/index.php/2-uncategorised/23-elections-in-the-seychelles | title=Elections in the Seychelles | access-date=20 January 2023 | archive-date=20 January 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120010639/https://www.ecs.sc/index.php/2-uncategorised/23-elections-in-the-seychelles | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Sierra Leone}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Singapore}} || 21 ||
|-
| {{flag|Sint Maarten}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Slovakia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Slovenia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Solomon Islands}} || 18 || 
|-
| {{flag|Somalia}} || 18 ||Universal suffrage starting with 24 June 2024 local elections<ref name=":9" />
|-
| {{flag|South Africa}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|South Sudan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Spain}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Sri Lanka}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Sudan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Suriname}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Sweden}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Switzerland}} || 18 || 16 for [[Cantons of Switzerland|cantonal]] and municipal elections in the [[canton of Glarus]]<ref name="Glarus 12">{{cite news|date=6 May 2007|title=Swiss canton drops voting age to 16|publisher=AP/International Herald Tribune Europe|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/06/europe/EU-GEN-Switzerland-Young-Voters.php|access-date=9 May 2007}}</ref><ref name="Glarus 22">{{cite news|date=7 May 2007|title=Glarus lowers voting age to 16|publisher=[[24 heures (Switzerland)|24 heures]]|url=http://www.24heures.ch/pages/home/24_heures/english_corner/news/news_detail/(contenu)/73342|access-date=9 May 2007|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312040019/http://www.24heures.ch/pages/home/24_heures/english_corner/news/news_detail/(contenu)/73342/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Syria}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Taiwan}} || 20 || 18 for referendums (since 2017). On November 26, 2022, a [[2022 Taiwanese constitutional referendum|constitutional referendum]] was held in order to lower the voting age from 20 to 18 years. Although a majority of votes were obtained in favor of lowering the voting age, the threshold of half the eligible voters was not reached and the referendum was declared unsuccessful.
|-
| {{flag|Tajikistan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Tanzania}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Thailand}} || 18 || Being a Thai citizen since birth, or at least five years
|-
| {{flag|Togo}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Tokelau}} || 21 ||
|-
| {{flag|Tonga}} || 21 ||
|-
| {{flag|Trinidad and Tobago}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Tunisia}} || 18 || With some exceptions<ref>{{cite web|author=Inter-Parliamentary Union|title=IPU PARLINE database: TUNISIA (Al-Majlis Al-watani Al-Taasisi), Electoral system|url=http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2392_B.htm|access-date=15 January 2013|publisher=Ipu.org|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225124015/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2392_B.htm%20|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Turkey}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Turkmenistan}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Turks and Caicos  Islands}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Tuvalu}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Uganda}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Ukraine}} || 18 || No Elections during the war <ref>{{in lang|uk}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2012/04/9/6962399/ Перший крок до зриву виборів (''The first step to disrupt the elections'')] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404073436/http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2012/04/9/6962399/ |date=4 April 2018 }}, [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (9 April 2012)</ref>
|-
| {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} || N/A || Elections for the [[Federal National Council]] are voted on by members of each [[Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|emirate]]'s electoral college. Electoral college members are selected by the ruler of each emirate, but must be at least 25, and there must be at least 300 members for every seat allocated to each emirate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Federal National Council {{!}} The Official Portal of the UAE Government |url=https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/the-federal-national-council- |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=u.ae |language=en |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922121108/https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/the-federal-national-council- |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ciauae3">{{cite news|year=2009|title=Suffrage|publisher=cia.gov|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2123.html|url-status=dead|access-date=26 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109020202/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2123.html|archive-date=9 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Inter-Parliamentary Union|date=16 February 2011|title=IPU PARLINE database: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (Majlis Watani Itihadi), Electoral system|url=http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2333_B.htm|publisher=Ipu.org|access-date=22 June 2012|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225124052/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2333_B.htm%20|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 16 / 18 || 18 for [[United Kingdom general elections overview|general elections]] to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] and [[Local government in the United Kingdom|local government]] elections in [[Local government in England|England]] and [[Local government in Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland]].

16 for all [[Elections in Scotland|Scottish elections]], including [[Scottish Parliament]] elections, Scottish [[Local government in Scotland|local government]] elections, and the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|Scottish Independence Referendum]].<ref name="scotlandcut" />

16 for [[Senedd]] (Welsh Parliament) elections and [[Elections in Wales#Local government elections|Welsh local elections]].

The government has announced plans to reduce the voting age to 16 for all elections by the [[Next United Kingdom general election|next general election]].<ref name=UKage>{{Cite journal|url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01747/|title=Voting age|first=Neil|last=Johnston|date=17 July 2025|via=commonslibrary.parliament.uk|archive-date=24 July 2024|access-date=17 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724193232/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01747/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|United States}} || 18 || However, in many states, persons 17 years of age are permitted to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 years of age on or before the day of the general election. Some municipalities allow 16-year-olds to vote in local elections.
|-
| {{flag|Uruguay}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Uzbekistan}} || 18 || <ref>{{cite web|title=Comparative Data —|url=http://aceproject.org/epic-en/CDCountry?topic=VR&country=UZ|work=aceproject.org|access-date=14 March 2013|archive-date=14 April 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414002309/http://aceproject.org/epic-en/CDCountry?topic=VR&country=UZ|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Vatican City}}
|[[Less-than sign|<]] 80
|Election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80<ref name=":9"/>
|-
| {{flag|Vanuatu}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Venezuela}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Vietnam}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|United States Virgin Islands}}|| 18 || Island residents are U.S. citizens but do not vote in U.S. presidential elections.
|-
| {{flag|Wallis and Futuna}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Western Sahara}} || N/A || 
|-
| {{flag|Yemen}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Zambia}} || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Zimbabwe}} || 18 ||
|}

==Chronology of lowering the voting age to 18==
The following is a [[chronology|chronological]] list of the dates upon which countries lowered the voting age to 18; unless otherwise indicated, the reduction was from 21. In some cases the age was lowered [[Gradualism|decrementally]], and so the "staging points" are also given. Some information is also included on the relevant legal instruments involved.

*1863: Argentina (Previously 21 per the [[:es:Ley 140 de Argentina|Law 140 of 1857]], reduced to 18 with the Law 75/1863)<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Querido |first1=Leandro |last2=Repilloza Fernández |first2=Eduardo |date=2022 |title=36 años de elecciones Presidenciales en argentina |url=https://transparenciaelectoral.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/36-anos-de-elecciones-presidenciales-en-Argentina_Transparencia-Electoral.pdf |website=Transparencia Electoral |publisher=Editorial Dunken |page=27 |language=es |publication-place=Buenos Aires |isbn=978-987-85-2036-0}}</ref>
*1924: Turkey (Previously 25 per the [[Ottoman constitution of 1876|1876 constitution]], reduced to 18 with the [[Turkish Constitution of 1924|1924 constitution]]. It was again raised to 22 on 5 December 1934 while granting full women's suffrage, and gradually lowered to 21 in [[Turkish Constitution of 1961|1961]], 20 in 1987 and 18 again in 1995)<ref>[http://www.byegm.gov.tr/mevzuat/anayasa/anayasa-ing.htm The Constitution of the Republic of Turkey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203170110/http://www.byegm.gov.tr/mevzuat/anayasa/anayasa-ing.htm |date=3 February 2007 }}, Article 67</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Turkey-GOVERNMENT.html|title=Encyclopedia of the Nations, Turkey|publisher=Nationsencyclopedia.com|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=13 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313043154/https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Turkey-GOVERNMENT.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*1946: [[Czechoslovakia]]<ref name="DN" />
*1952: Poland<ref>{{Cite web |last=Szypszak |first=Lara |title=Research Guides: Polish-American Relations, 1918 to Present: Manuscript Resources at the Library of Congress: A Brief Timeline of Modern Polish History |url=https://guides.loc.gov/poland-manuscripts/timeline |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=guides.loc.gov |language=en}}</ref>
*1958: South Africa ([[White South African|white]] voters only; [[Electoral Law Amendment Act, 1958]])<ref>{{cite book|first=Muriel|last=Horrell|title=A Survey of Race Relations in South Africa, 1957–1958|publisher=South African Institute of Race Relations|page=10|url=http://www.nelsonmandela.org/omalley/cis/omalley/OMalleyWeb/dat/SAIRR%20Survey%201957-58.pdf|access-date=28 June 2011}}</ref>
*1969: United Kingdom ([[Representation of the People Act 1969]]){{Refn|The [[1970 United Kingdom general election]] is the first in which this Act had effect.|group=nb}}
*1970
**Canada (June 26)<ref>{{cite news|title=Young Canadians and the Voting Age: Should It Be Lowered?|publisher=[[Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)]]|year=2005|url=http://www.cprn.org/en/static/EN-diversity-voting.html|access-date=5 February 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725201003/http://www.cprn.org/en/static/EN-diversity-voting.html|archive-date=25 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Canadian History 1900–1999|publisher=Canadian History Directory|date=1 January 2007|url=http://www3.telus.net/public/dgarneau/canada-2.htm|access-date=6 February 2007|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203512/http://www3.telus.net/public/dgarneau/canada-2.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> for federal elections, via amendment to [[Canada Elections Act]].
**West Germany<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/capitolhill/lobby/8522/wahl16_e.html |title=(missing) |publisher=Webcitation.org |access-date=15 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020025236/http://geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/8522/wahl16_e.html |archive-date=20 October 2009}}</ref>
*1971
**Netherlands (previous reduction from 23 to 21 in 1965)
**United States (1 July), per the [[Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Twenty-sixth Amendment]]. Previously reduced on 1 January 1971 by the [[Voting Rights Act#Periodic renewal|Voting Rights Act Amendments 1970, ss. 302, 305]]<ref>Title 3, 84 Stat. 318, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973bb.; text reproduced in [[Oregon v. Mitchell]], 400 U.S. 112, 223</ref> (Prior reductions: [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] in August 1943,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Suffrage Jr|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,933171,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214181715/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,933171,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 December 2008|date=16 August 1943}}</ref> [[Kentucky]] in 1955,<ref name="MarylandDJS">[http://www.djs.state.md.us/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000138/html/am138--51.html ''"Lowering the Minimum Voting Age to Eighteen Years - Pro and Con Arguments"'']{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Constitutional Revision Study Documents of the [[Maryland]] Constitutional Convention Commission, 1968. Retrieved 5 February 2007.</ref> [[Guam]] in 1954<ref name="Cheng">{{cite news|last=Cheng|first=J.|title=The 'Qualified Voter' and the Minimum Voting Age|publisher=Department of Political Science, University of Michigan|url=http://millercenter.virginia.edu/pubs/dissertation_chapters/2005/cheng.pdf|access-date=5 February 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213205121/http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/pubs/dissertation_chapters/2005/cheng.pdf|archive-date=13 February 2006}}</ref> and [[American Samoa]] in 1965.<ref name="Cheng" />)
*1972: Finland (from 20; previous reductions were 24 to 21 in 1944 and 21 to 20 in 1968/1969)<ref>{{cite news|title=HS Gallup: Little public support for reduction in voting age|publisher=Helsingin Sanomat International Edition&nbsp;— Metro|date=11 January 2007|url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/HS+Gallup+Little+public+support+for+reduction+in+voting+age/1135224233031|access-date=5 February 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208144022/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/HS+Gallup+Little+public+support+for+reduction+in+voting+age/1135224233031|archive-date=8 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eduskunta.fi/fakta/historia/eng/tapahtuma_aika.htm|title=Sanasto|publisher=Eduskunta.fi|date=1 March 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514233542/http://www.eduskunta.fi/fakta/historia/eng/tapahtuma_aika.htm|archive-date=14 May 2011}}</ref>
*1973 
**Ireland (5 January) via [[Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|4th Amendment of the Constitution]]. Women under 30 gained the vote in local elections in 1935<ref>{{cite web |date=29 March 1935 |title=Local Government (Extension of Franchise) Act, 1935 |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1935/act/9/section/2/enacted/en/html |access-date=4 November 2016 |work=[[Irish Statute Book]] |pages=Section 2 (1) }}; {{cite web |last=O'Kelly |first=Seán T. |author-link=Seán T. O'Kelly |date=12 July 1933 |title=Local Government (Extension of Franchise) Bill, 1933—Second Stage. |url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad1933071200005#N9 |access-date=4 November 2016 |work=Seanad Éireann Debates |pages=Vol. 17 No. 2 p.5 cc116–117 |no-pp=y |quote=Clearly the theory [...] that married women under 30 years of age, although they may vote at a Dáil election, are not competent to vote at a local government election, will not stand. |archive-date=4 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104210825/http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/seanad1933071200005#N9 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in [[Dáil]] elections and referendums in 1922 ([[Constitution of the Irish Free State]]<ref>{{cite web |date=6 December 1922 |title=Constitution of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann) Act, 1922 |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1922/act/1/schedule/1/enacted/en/html |access-date=4 November 2016 |work=[[Irish Statute Book]] |pages=Schedule 1, Article 14 |no-pp=y |quote=All citizens of the Irish Free State (Saorstát Eireann) without distinction of sex, who have reached the age of twenty-one years and who comply with the provisions of the prevailing electoral laws, shall have the right to vote for members of Dáil Eireann, and to take part in the Referendum and Initiative. |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074117/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1922/act/1/schedule/1/enacted/en/html |url-status=live }}</ref>). The only popular election ([[1925 Seanad election|in 1925]]) to the [[Free State Seanad]] had a voting age of 30.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Coakley |first=John |date=September 2005 |title=Ireland's Unique Electoral Experiment: The Senate Election of 1925 |journal=Irish Political Studies |volume=20 |issue=3 |pages=231–269: 234 |doi=10.1080/07907180500359327 |s2cid=145175747}}</ref> {{Crossreference|(See also [[History of the franchise in Ireland]].)}}
**Philippines (17 January): after the 1973 constitution was announced to have been [[1973 Philippine constitutional plebiscite|approved in a plebiscite]]. Among other things, the new constitution lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
**Australia ([[New South Wales]] was the first state to do so, in 1970)
*1974 
**France (July 5) (Act No. 74-631)<ref>{{cite web |title=La Constitution du 4 Octobre 1958 |url=http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/langues/anglais/cst1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208194159/http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/langues/anglais/cst1.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2006 |access-date=5 February 2007}}, Art. 3 and [http://195.83.177.9/code/liste.phtml?lang=uk&c=22&r=348 Le Code Civil francais] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928061159/http://195.83.177.9/code/liste.phtml?lang=uk&c=22&r=348|date=28 September 2007}}, Art. 488</ref>
**New Zealand: (November) (from 20; previous reduction from 21 to 20 in 1969)<ref>[http://www.elections.org.nz/study/history/right-to-vote.html Elections New Zealand] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212073607/http://www.elections.org.nz/study/history/right-to-vote.html|date=12 February 2007}}, "The Right to Vote". Retrieved 5 February 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/New-Zealand-GOVERNMENT.html Encyclopedia of the Nations, New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313043053/http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/New-Zealand-GOVERNMENT.html |date=13 March 2021 }}. Retrieved 6 February 2007.</ref>
**Australia<ref>{{Cite web |last=corporateName=Australian Electoral Commission; address=10 Mort Street |first=Canberra ACT 2600; contact=13 23 26 |title=Australian voting history in action |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/25/theme1-voting-history.htm |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=Australian Electoral Commission |language=en-AU |archive-date=4 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204235113/https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/25/theme1-voting-history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
**Dominica<ref>[http://www.lennoxhonychurch.com/article.cfm?Id=394 ''Important Dates in Dominica's History''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830091704/http://www.lennoxhonychurch.com/article.cfm?Id=394|date=30 August 2013}}, Lennox Honychurch</ref>
*1975 
**Sweden (Increased from 21 to 24 in 1911, then lowered to 23 in 1921, 21 in 1945, 20 in 1965, 19 in 1968 and finally to 18 in 1975)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rj.se/globalassets/rapporter/rostrattens_arhundrade_www.rj.se.pdf|title=Rostrattens Arhundrade|language=Swedish|year=2018|last1=Holgersson|first1=Ulrika|last2=Wängnerud|first2=Lena|work=Riksbankens Jubileumsfond|access-date=14 April 2021|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307150914/https://www.rj.se/globalassets/rapporter/rostrattens_arhundrade_www.rj.se.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
**Italy (lowered from 21; this reduction did not apply to Senate elections)
*1976: Trinidad and Tobago
*1978
**Denmark (19 September) (from 20; 53.8% in [[1978 Danish electoral age referendum|referendum]]; previous reductions were [[1953 Danish constitutional and electoral age referendum|25 to 23]] in 1953, [[1961 Danish electoral age referendum|23 to 21]] in 1961 and [[1971 Danish electoral age referendum|21 to 20]] in 1971)<ref>{{cite web |title=folketinget.dk, "Representative democracy and referenda" |url=http://www.folketinget.dk/BAGGRUND/00000047/00232629.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721115249/http://www.folketinget.dk/BAGGRUND/00000047/00232629.htm |archive-date=21 July 2009 |access-date=15 January 2013 |publisher=Folketinget.dk}}</ref>
**Spain (29 December) ([[Spanish Constitution of 1978|1978 Constitution]])<ref>{{cite journal |last=Maravall |first=J.M. |date=July 1979 |title=Political Cleavages in Spain and the 1979 General Election |journal=Government and Opposition |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=299–317 |doi=10.1111/j.1477-7053.1979.tb00247.x |s2cid=145353149}}</ref>
*1979: Peru
*1981: Belgium<ref>[http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Belgium-POLITICAL-BACKGROUND.html Encyclopedia of the Nations, Belgium] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313043112/http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Belgium-POLITICAL-BACKGROUND.html |date=13 March 2021 }}. Retrieved 6 February 2007.</ref>
*1989: India (28 March) (61st Constitution Amendment Act, 1988 read with Act 21 of 1989)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ceodelhi.nic.in/FAQ/FAQs3.asp|title=Official Website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, FAQs Q21|publisher=Ceodelhi.nic.in|date=28 March 1989|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721163519/http://ceodelhi.nic.in/FAQ/FAQs3.asp|archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref>
*1991: Switzerland (from 20; referendum held on 3 March)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home.html/dvd_rom/eng/direct_democracy_2004/content/politsystem/politsystem.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101112308/http://www.swissworld.org/dvd_rom/eng/direct_democracy_2004/content/politsystem/politsystem.html|url-status=dead|title=Discover Switzerland|archive-date=1 January 2007|website=www.eda.admin.ch}}</ref>
*1992
**Austria (from 19; previous reductions were 21 to 20 in 1949 and 20 to 19 in 1970)<ref>{{cite book|first=Reingard|last=Spannring|title=Orientations of Young Men and Women to Citizenship and European Identity: Workpackage 1&nbsp;– Socio-demographic Background: Austria|publisher=Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna|url=http://www.oeij.at/doku/European_Identity.pdf|access-date=9 May 2007|archive-date=13 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313043129/http://www.oeij.at/doku/European_Identity.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
**Estonia: (29 July) (from 22, according to the 1938 Constitution; was 18 during the [[Occupation of the Baltic States|Soviet Occupation]] since 1940 and 16 for the [[Congress of Estonia]] in 1990)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://et.wikisource.org/wiki/Eesti_N%C3%B5ukogude_Sotsialistliku_Vabariigi_konstitutsioon_(1940)|title=Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistliku Vabariigi konstitutsioon (1940) – Vikitekstid|website=et.wikisource.org|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=18 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618235421/https://et.wikisource.org/wiki/Eesti_N%C3%B5ukogude_Sotsialistliku_Vabariigi_konstitutsioon_(1940)|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hot.ee/etsiam/Eesti%20Kongress%2010.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418012519/http://www.hot.ee/etsiam/Eesti%20Kongress%2010.htm|url-status= dead|title=Valmistumine Eesti Kongressi valimisteks|archive-date=18 April 2008}}</ref>
* 1995: Hong Kong (from 21)<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Liu |first1=Eva |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr97-98/english/sec/library/956rp17.pdf |title=Political Development in Hong Kong since the 1980s |last2=Yue |first2=S.Y. |date=September 1996 |publisher=Research and Library Services Division, Legislative Council Secretariat |location=Hong Kong |language=en |archive-date=8 October 2022 |access-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008033302/https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr97-98/english/sec/library/956rp17.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2000: Liechtenstein (from 20; LGBl. 2000 No. 55)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geocities.com/dagtho/lieconst19211005h.html |title=Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein |access-date=11 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807131456/http://geocities.com/dagtho/lieconst19211005h.html |archive-date=7 August 2009}}, Art. 29 (2)|df=y</ref>
*2001: Jordan (July) (from 19; Provisional Election Law No. 34/2001)<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/news-e/4-9.htm The World of Parliaments, ''Quarterly Review'' No. 4] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711185900/http://www.ipu.org/news-e/4-9.htm |date=11 July 2007 }}, [[Inter-Parliamentary Union|IPU]], 2001. Retrieved 22 July 2007.</ref>
*2002
**Pakistan (21 August) (Legal Framework Order, 2002),<ref>{{cite book|first=M.|last=Nadeem|author2=Laghari, J.|title=Study of Pakistan Election System as "Intelligent e-Election"|arxiv=cs/0405105|bibcode=2004cs........5105N|year=2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1913092.stm|title=SOUTH ASIA &#124; Vote on Musharraf rule set for May|work=[[BBC News]]|date=5 April 2002|archive-date=10 April 2004|access-date=5 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040410013645/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1913092.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> was 18 under [[Constitution of Pakistan#The Constitution of 1973|1973 Constitution]], then increased to 21, then lowered back to 18.<ref>[http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Pakistan-GOVERNMENT.html Encyclopedia of the Nations, Pakistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313043156/http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Pakistan-GOVERNMENT.html |date=13 March 2021 }} Retrieved 6 February 2007.</ref>
**Morocco (11 December) (from 20)<ref>{{cite news|title=Morocco lowers voting age|work=[[BBC News]]|date=11 December 2002|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2565373.stm|access-date=5 February 2007|archive-date=5 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605091338/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2565373.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
*2012: Uzbekistan (July) (from 25)
*2015: Saudi Arabia (July) (from 21)<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.globalpost.com/article/6532529/2015/04/29/saudi-allows-women-join-2015-municipal-elections| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150714134319/http://www.globalpost.com/article/6532529/2015/04/29/saudi-allows-women-join-2015-municipal-elections| archive-date = 2015-07-14| title = Saudi allows women to join in 2015 municipal elections {{!}} GlobalPost}}</ref>
*2016: Japan (from 20)<ref>{{cite web|title=Minimum voting age in Japan dropped to 18|url=http://www.asianews.network/content/minimum-voting-age-japan-dropped-18-20152|publisher=Asia News Network|date=19 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621040521/http://www.asianews.network/content/minimum-voting-age-japan-dropped-18-20152|archive-date=21 June 2016}}</ref>
*2019 
**Malaysia (16 July) (from 21)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leong |first=Trinna |date=2019-07-16 |title=Malaysia's MPs approve amendment to lower voting age from 21 to 18 |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-federal-constitution-amended-to-lower-voting-age-from-21-to-18 |access-date=2023-06-28 |issn=0585-3923 |archive-date=14 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614070123/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-federal-constitution-amended-to-lower-voting-age-from-21-to-18 |url-status=live }}</ref>
**South Korea (27 December) (from 19)
*2021:
**Italy (4 November); lowered from 25 for Senate elections (Constitutional Law No. 1 of 2021)

==Chronology of lowering the voting age to 16==
This is a further list, similar to the above but of the dates upon which countries or territories lowered the voting age to 16; unless otherwise indicated, the reduction was from 18.

===1980s===
*Nicaragua: November 1984 (from 21)<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bowman|first=K.|author2=Lehoucq, F.|author3=Mahoney, J.|title=Measuring Political Democracy: Case Expertise, Data Adequacy, and Central America|journal=Comparative Political Studies|volume=38|issue=8|pages=939–970 (Appendix C)|year=2005|url=http://blmdemocracy.gatech.edu/BLM%20select%20bibliography.pdf|doi=10.1177/0010414005277083|s2cid=32170755|archive-date=11 September 2006|access-date=4 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060911220035/http://blmdemocracy.gatech.edu/BLM%20select%20bibliography.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MacroHistory: Prehistory to yesterday: The Sandinista Revolution|url=http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch24nic.htm|access-date=12 January 2008|archive-date=13 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313043242/http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch24nic.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Brazil: 1988, first allowed in the [[1989 Brazilian presidential election|1989 presidential election]] ([[Constitution of Brazil#Seventh (1988 – present)|Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil, 1988]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress|title=Brazil&nbsp;— a country study|date=April 1997|page=300|isbn=978-1-57980-299-8|publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress|location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref><ref>[https://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Brazil/brazil88.html Unamended 1988 constitution of Brazil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625130313/https://pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Brazil/brazil88.html |date=25 June 2021 }} ("O alistamento eleitoral e o voto são...facultativos para...os maiores de dezesseis e menores de dezoito anos.")</ref>

===1990s===
*Estonia: 24 February 1990 (from 22 according to the 1938 Constitution, from 18 during the [[Occupation of the Baltic States|Soviet occupation]]); only for the [[Congress of Estonia]], was raised to 18 according to the [[Constitution of Estonia|1992 Constitution]]

===2000s===
*[[Isle of Man]]: 11 July 2006; legislation brought into force in time for [[2006 Manx general election|general election held on 23 November 2006]]<ref>[http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/infocentre/acts/repofpeople.pdf Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710072226/http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/infocentre/acts/repofpeople.pdf |date=10 July 2007 }}, s. 4</ref>
*[[Austria]]: 1 July 2007 (BGBl. No. 1/1930, as amended)<ref name="final Austria Bill"/>
*[[Guernsey]]: 19 December 2007 (Reform (Guernsey) (Amendment) Law, 2007)<ref name="Guernsey Court"/><ref name="Guernsey law2"/>
*[[Jersey]]: 1 April 2008 (Public Elections (Amendment No. 2) (Jersey) Law 2008)<ref name="Jersey law"/>
*[[Ecuador]]: 28 September 2008 (New constitution accepted by referendum) for general election on 26 March 2009.

===2010s===
*Argentina: 1 November 2012. Voting for teenagers between 16 and 18 years of age became optional.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1522388-diputados-dio-luz-verde-el-voto-a-los-16-anos-y-ya-es-ley|title=Sin la oposición y en una sesión polémica, el kirchnerismo convirtió en ley el voto joven en Diputados|work=lanacion.com.ar|access-date=1 November 2012|archive-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117233555/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1522388-diputados-dio-luz-verde-el-voto-a-los-16-anos-y-ya-es-ley|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Malta: 20 November 2013. Motion passed in parliament to lower the voting age to 16 at local council elections starting from 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131120/local/motion-in-parliament-to-lower-local-councils-voting-age-to-16.495566|title=Motion in parliament to lower local council elections voting age to 16|work=Times of Malta|date=20 November 2013|access-date=8 December 2013|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203134440/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131120/local/motion-in-parliament-to-lower-local-councils-voting-age-to-16.495566|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Scotland: 18 September 2014. 16- and 17-year-olds were given the vote for the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|independence referendum]]. This was subsequently extended permanently for local and Scottish Parliament elections as of the [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016 Parliament election]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33173488|title=Cut in Scottish voting age passed unanimously|work=[[BBC News]]|date=18 June 2015|archive-date=13 February 2020|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213020004/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33173488|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Estonia: 6 May 2015, in local elections only.

===2020s===
*[[Wales]]: 6 May 2021, for the elections to the [[Senedd]] (formerly the National Assembly for Wales).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.assembly.wales/en/newhome/pages/newsitem.aspx?itemid=2065&assembly=5|title=Bill to introduce new name and lower voting age becomes an Act|website=National Assembly for Wales}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=":assemblywales2">{{cite web|url=https://senedd.wales/en/newhome/pages/newsitem.aspx?itemid=2054|title=16 and 17 year olds get right to vote - a historic day for democracy in Wales|date=27 November 2019|website=Senedd Cymru|language=en-GB|access-date=24 December 2019|archive-date=15 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715234704/https://senedd.wales/en/newhome/pages/newsitem.aspx?itemid=2054|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Welsh Government  has also legislated the enfranchisement of 16 and 17-year-olds in local government elections by May 2022 for the [[2022 Welsh local elections|local Welsh elections]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*[[Alderney]]: 22 September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PO Box 23 |first=St Peter Port |date=2022-09-26 |title=Press Release - Sixteen-year-olds given the right to vote in two Alderney elections - 26.09.2022 |url=http://www.alderney.gov.gg/article/191287/Press-Release---Sixteen-year-olds-given-the-right-to-vote-in-two-Alderney-elections---26092022#:~:text=A%20new%20law%20reducing%20the,Assent%20from%20the%20Privy%20Council. |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=www.alderney.gov.gg |language=en |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023142701/http://www.alderney.gov.gg/article/191287/Press-Release---Sixteen-year-olds-given-the-right-to-vote-in-two-Alderney-elections---26092022#:~:text=A%20new%20law%20reducing%20the,Assent%20from%20the%20Privy%20Council. |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Sark]]: 2022.<ref name=":10" />
<!--Please avoid adding the UK here unless relevant legislation has fully passed-->

==Organizations for voting age reform==
{{More citations needed|date=November 2008}}
The following are political parties and other [[Political campaign|campaigning]] organizations that have either endorsed a lower voting age or who favor its removal entirely.

===Alphabetical list of countries===

====Australia====
*[[Australian Democrats]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Andrew |date=2018-08-18 |title='Young people have lots to offer': Should these teens be able to vote? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/young-people-have-lots-to-offer-should-these-teens-be-able-to-vote-20180807-p4zw34.html |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |language=en |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922231621/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/young-people-have-lots-to-offer-should-these-teens-be-able-to-vote-20180807-p4zw34.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Australian Greens]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lower the Voting Age |url=https://greens.org.au/campaigns/lower-voting-age |website=Australian Greens |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910155343/https://greens.org.au/campaigns/lower-voting-age |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Australian Labor Party]]<ref name="abc.net.au"/>
*[[Socialist Alliance (Australia)|Socialist Alliance]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Youth |url=https://socialist-alliance.org/policy/youth |website=Socialist Alliance |date=16 January 2010 |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910155344/https://socialist-alliance.org/policy/youth |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Fusion Party (Australia)|Fusion Party]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.fusionparty.org.au/policy_faq |title= Other positions and policy FAQ |website= fusionparty.org.au |access-date= 10 February 2023 |archive-date= 26 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230326033945/https://www.fusionparty.org.au/policy_faq |url-status= live }}</ref>

====Austria====
*[[The Greens – The Green Alternative]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-26 |title=What happens when the voting age is lowered to 16? A decade of evidence from Austria |url=https://www.democraticaudit.com/2020/02/26/what-happens-when-the-voting-age-is-lowered-to-16-a-decade-of-evidence-from-austria/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=Democratic Audit |language=en-GB |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922231621/https://www.democraticaudit.com/2020/02/26/what-happens-when-the-voting-age-is-lowered-to-16-a-decade-of-evidence-from-austria/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Liberal Forum]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liberale.at/|title=Aktuelle Themen|publisher=Liberale.at|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=13 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813153155/http://www.liberale.at/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Social Democratic Party of Austria]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spoe.at/|title=× SPÖ - Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs × Startseite|publisher=Spoe.at|date=17 December 2010|access-date=19 July 2005|archive-date=10 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810000756/http://www.spoe.at/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*vote4future.at Austrian National Youth Council<ref>{{cite web|author=Bundesjugendvertretung|url=http://www.vote4future.at/|title=. Nationalratswahl 2006|publisher=vote4future.at.|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=18 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518134916/http://www.vote4future.at/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Belgium====
*[[Ecolo]]<ref name="Belgium2015"/>
*[[Groen (political party)|Groen]]<ref name="Belgium2015">{{cite news|url=http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/957/Binnenland/article/detail/2311536/2015/05/06/Open-Vld-en-Groen-willen-stemrecht-op-16-jaar.dhtml|title=Open Vld en Groen willen stemrecht op 16 jaar|date=5 May 2015|newspaper=Het Laatste Nieuws|archive-date=21 June 2015|access-date=21 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621171515/http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/957/Binnenland/article/detail/2311536/2015/05/06/Open-Vld-en-Groen-willen-stemrecht-op-16-jaar.dhtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten]]<ref name="Belgium2015"/>

====Canada====
*[[Green Party of Canada]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Democratic renewal and proportional representation|url=https://greenparty.ca/en/policy/vision-green/government/democratic-renewal|website=Green Party of Canada|access-date=10 August 2015|archive-date=7 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807063232/https://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy/vision-green/government/democratic-renewal|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Green Party of Quebec]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Democracy|url=http://en.pvq.qc.ca/democracy|website=Green Party of Quebec|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref>
*[[New Democratic Party]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndp.ca/courage?focus=13934165&nothing=nothing|title=The courage to do what's right|website=Canada's NDP|access-date=22 February 2021|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301141845/https://www.ndp.ca/courage?focus=13934165&nothing=nothing|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Ontario Liberal Party]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/ontario-mpp-tables-bill-to-lower-voting-age-to-16/|title=Ontario MPP tables bill to lower voting age to 16|first=Josh|last=Dehaas|date=5 March 2018|website=CTVNews}}</ref>
*[[Parti Québécois]]<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Parti Québécois|date=7 December 2011|language=fr|title=Le Parti Québécois présente une douzaine de propositions pour changer la politique|url=http://pq.org/actualite/communiques/le_parti_quebecois_presente_une_douzaine_de_propositions_pour_changer_la_polit|access-date=8 December 2011|quote=L’abaissement de l’âge légal pour voter à 16 ans. (Lowering the legal voting age to 16 years)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503172643/http://pq.org/actualite/communiques/le_parti_quebecois_presente_une_douzaine_de_propositions_pour_changer_la_polit|archive-date=3 May 2012}}</ref>

====Czechia====
*[[Czech Pirate Party]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}
*[[Green Party (Czech Republic)|Green Party]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-29 |title=The Czech president casts his ballot for lowering the voting age |url=https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/president-pavel-supports-lowering-voting-age-to-16 |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=www.expats.cz |language=en |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922231621/https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/president-pavel-supports-lowering-voting-age-to-16 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Mayors and Independents]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

====Denmark====
*[[Social Democrats (Denmark)|Social Democrats]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scandinavian Political Studies |url=https://tidsskrift.dk/scandinavian_political_studies/article/download/32065/29579?inline=1 |website=tidsskrift.dk |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910155345/https://tidsskrift.dk/scandinavian_political_studies/article/download/32065/29579?inline=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Socialist People's Party (Denmark)|Socialist People's Party]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Review article: The Lowering of the Voting Age in Denmark: The Referendum of September 1978 |url=https://tidsskrift.dk/scandinavian_political_studies/article/download/32316/30081?inline=1 |website=tidsskrift.dk |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910155343/https://tidsskrift.dk/scandinavian_political_studies/article/download/32316/30081?inline=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.duf.dk/|title=DUF - Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd fremmer unges deltagelse - Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd|work=Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd|access-date=13 April 2007|archive-date=11 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411201449/http://duf.dk/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Estonia====
*[[Estonian National Youth Council]]
*[[Young Social Democrats (Estonia)|Young Social Democrats]]

====France====
*[[La France Insoumise]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://avenirencommun.fr/livrets-thematiques/le-livret-jeunesse/|title=Pour l'émancipation de la jeunesse ! - JLM2017|date=29 January 2024|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205003912/https://avenirencommun.fr/livrets-thematiques/le-livret-jeunesse/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Germany====
*[[Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intergenerationaljustice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=116|title=FRFG-Intergenerational Justice - Children's Rights|publisher=Intergenerationaljustice.org|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=23 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723064431/http://www.intergenerationaljustice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=116|url-status=live}}</ref>
*K.R.Ä.T.Z.Ä. (demanding abolition of any age-based voting restrictions)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.kraetzae.de/vote/|title=K.R.Ä.T.Z.Ä. - Right to vote - Overview|publisher=En.kraetzae.de|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=6 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706193428/http://en.kraetzae.de/vote/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Social Democratic Party of Germany]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=In Germany, opposition parties advocate to lower voting age for nationwide elections from 18 to 16 |url=https://constitutionnet.org/news/germany-opposition-parties-advocate-lower-voting-age-nationwide-elections-18-16 |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=ConstitutionNet |language=en |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922231621/https://constitutionnet.org/news/germany-opposition-parties-advocate-lower-voting-age-nationwide-elections-18-16 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Alliance 90/The Greens]]
*[[The Left (Germany)|The Left]]

====Greece====
*[[Ecologist Greens]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecogreens.gr/gr/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=989|title=The youth must have a say (greek) (Ecologist Greens)|publisher=Ecogreens.gr|access-date=6 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716182807/http://www.ecogreens.gr/gr/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=989|archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref>

====Ireland====
*[[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]]<ref>[https://greenparty.ie/policies/political-reform-policy/ Political Reform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614045659/https://greenparty.ie/policies/political-reform-policy/ |date=14 June 2018 }}. Accessed via Green Party (Ireland) (official website). Retrieved 19 June 2017.</ref>
*[[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.labour.ie/press/listing/122804883786263.html|title=Labour Ireland - ''Local election voting age should be lowered to 16''|publisher=Labour.ie|date=30 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113110018/http://www.labour.ie/press/listing/122804883786263.html|archive-date=13 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Sinn Féin]]<ref>[http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/sinn-fein-calls-for-voting-age-to-be-lowered-to-16-801776.html Sinn Féin calls for voting age to be lowered to 16] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818045446/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/sinn-fein-calls-for-voting-age-to-be-lowered-to-16-801776.html |date=18 August 2017 }}. ''Irish Examiner''. Published 12 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.</ref>
*[[Socialist Party (Ireland)|Socialist Party]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.socialistparty.net/youth/manifesto2.htm|title=A Programme For Socialist Change - SY Manifesto (p. 2)|publisher=Socialistparty.net|access-date=6 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425091849/http://www.socialistparty.net/youth/manifesto2.htm|archive-date=25 April 2011}}</ref>
In 2013, the [[Constitutional Convention (Ireland)|Constitutional Convention]] was asked to consider reducing the voting age to 17 and recommended lowering it to 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.constitution.ie/AttachmentDownload.ashx?mid=e1f8e128-2496-e211-a5a0-005056a32ee4|title=First Report on (i) Reducing the voting age to 17; and (ii) Reducing the Presidential term of office to five years and aligning it with the local and European elections.|author=Convention on the Constitution|date=March 2013|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319220719/https://www.constitution.ie/attachmentdownload.ashx?mid=e1f8e128-2496-e211-a5a0-005056a32ee4|archive-date=19 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Government of the 31st Dáil|then government]] agreed to hold a referendum,<ref name="dail20130718">{{cite web|url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2013071800021?opendocument#T00100|title=Report of the Convention on the Constitution: Statements|date=18 July 2013|work=Dáil Éireann debates|publisher=Oireachtas|access-date=14 August 2013|archive-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225144650/http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2013071800021?opendocument#T00100|url-status=live}}</ref> but in 2015 postponed it indefinitely to give priority to other referendums.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/voting-age-16-1884047-Jan2015/|title=Enda accused of 'betraying' young people by scrapping voting age referendum|last=Ryan|first=Órla|date=15 January 2015|work=[[TheJournal.ie]]|archive-date=9 November 2016|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109021323/http://www.thejournal.ie/voting-age-16-1884047-Jan2015/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Italy====
*[[Five Star Movement]]<ref>[https://www.thelocal.it/20170509/five-star-movement-leader-beppe-grillo-italy-m5s-16-year-olds-teenagers-vote-elections-politics Five Star Movement leader Grillo wants 16-year-olds to get the vote] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818045122/https://www.thelocal.it/20170509/five-star-movement-leader-beppe-grillo-italy-m5s-16-year-olds-teenagers-vote-elections-politics |date=18 August 2017 }}. [[The Local Italy]]. Author - Catherine Edwards. Published 9 May 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.</ref>
*[[Lega Nord|Northern League]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tecnicadellascuola.it/salvini-abbassare-a-16-anni-il-diritto-di-voto|title=Salvini: "Abbassare a 16 anni il diritto di voto" - Tecnica della Scuola|date=11 November 2015|work=Tecnica della Scuola|language=it-IT|archive-date=18 September 2018|access-date=17 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918013658/http://www.tecnicadellascuola.it/salvini-abbassare-a-16-anni-il-diritto-di-voto|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lastampa.it/speciale/politica/elezioni-politiche-2022/2022/09/02/news/il_piano_del_pd_per_i_giovani-8210797/|title=Pd, il piano di Letta per i giovani: "dote" ai diciottenni, apprendistato e voto a 16 anni|date=2 September 2022|work=La Stampa|language=it-IT|archive-date=7 September 2022|access-date=7 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907173334/https://www.lastampa.it/speciale/politica/elezioni-politiche-2022/2022/09/02/news/il_piano_del_pd_per_i_giovani-8210797/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Lithuania====
*[[Social Democratic Party of Lithuania]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bieliavska |first1=Jadvyga |title=Socialdemokratai nori įteisinti balsavimą nuo 16 metų savivaldos rinkimuose |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2065831/socialdemokratai-nori-iteisinti-balsavima-nuo-16-metu-savivaldos-rinkimuose |website=LRT |language=lt |date=30 August 2023}}</ref>

====Luxembourg====
*[[The Left (Luxembourg)|The Left]]<ref>{{cite news |last= Schnuer |first= Cordula |date= 25 January 2022 |title= "Historic step" as Luxembourgish enshrined in constitution |url= https://delano.lu/article/historic-step-as-luxembourgish |work= Delano |access-date= 6 May 2022 |quote= Luxembourg’s electorate of over-18s counts around 260,000 people, out of a population of 626,000, with Déi Lénk also in favor of lowering the voting age to 16. |archive-date= 6 May 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220506195738/https://delano.lu/article/historic-step-as-luxembourgish |url-status= live }}</ref>

====Malaysia====
*[[UNDI18]]

====Netherlands====
*[[GroenLinks]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://groenlinks.nl/sites/groenlinks/files/2021-03/GroenLinks_Verkiezingsprogramma%202021.pdf |title=tijd voor nieuwe realisme |last1=postma |first1=jeroen |last2=Bodegraven |first2=Robbert |last3=Ellemeet |first3=Corinne |last4=Kâhya |first4=Ufuk |last5=Kohlmann |first5=Christel |last6=Snels |first6=Bart |last7=Pels |first7=Zita |last8=Vendrik |first8=Kees |last9=Rodenburg |first9=Hans |last10=Streefkerk |first10=Mathilde |last11=Evenberg |first11=Zander |date=2021 |access-date=7 January 2022 |language=nl |trans-title=Time for new realism |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216140105/https://groenlinks.nl/sites/groenlinks/files/2021-03/GroenLinks_Verkiezingsprogramma%202021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Partij van de Arbeid]]
*[[Volt Netherlands]]
*[[Party for the Animals|Partij voor de Dieren]]
*[[Democrats 66|Democraten 66]]
*[[BIJ1]]

====New Zealand====
*[[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand]]
*[[Make It 16 Incorporated v Attorney-General|Make It 16 Incorporated]]
*[[New Zealand Labour Party]]
*[[Te Pāti Māori]]
*[[The Opportunities Party]]

====Norway====
*[[Liberal Party (Norway)|Liberal Party]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.venstre.no/|title=Venstre - Småbedrifter &#124; Miljø &#124; Velferd &#124; Kunnskap|publisher=Venstre.no|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015711/http://www.venstre.no/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Socialist Left Party (Norway)|Socialist Left Party]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sv.no/|title=Forside - Sosialistisk Venstreparti|language=no|publisher=Sv.no|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208122407/https://www.sv.no/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Poland====
*[[Poland 2050]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://konkret24.tvn24.pl/polityka/wybory-holownia-obnizymy-wiek-wyborczy-do-16-lat-a-gdzie-juz-tak-jest-st6986300|title=Hołownia: obniżymy wiek wyborczy do 16 lat. A gdzie już tak jest?|language=pl|publisher=TVN24|date=26 April 2023|access-date=7 January 2024|archive-date=7 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107225939/https://konkret24.tvn24.pl/polityka/wybory-holownia-obnizymy-wiek-wyborczy-do-16-lat-a-gdzie-juz-tak-jest-st6986300|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Portugal====
*[[Left Bloc (Portugal)|Left Bloc]]
*[[Liberal Initiative]]
*[[LIVRE]]
*[[People Animals Nature]]
*[[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|Social Democratic Party]]

====Romania====
*[[National Liberal Party (Romania)|National Liberal Party]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reteauadestiri.ro/gorghiu-insista-vrea-tinerii-la-vot-de-la-16-ani/|title=Gorghiu insistă: vrea tinerii la vot de la 16 ani|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620155935/http://www.reteauadestiri.ro/gorghiu-insista-vrea-tinerii-la-vot-de-la-16-ani/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[National Union for the Progress of Romania]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digi24.ro/Stiri/Digi24/Actualitate/Politica/Votul+la+16+ani+revine+in+discutie|title=Votul la 16 ani revine în discuție|date=30 May 2015 |access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref>

====Spain====
*[[United Left (Spain)|Izquierda Unida]]

====Sweden====

*[[Feminist Initiative (Sweden)|Feminist Initiative]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://feministisktinitiativ.se/politik/politikens-organisering/|title=Politikens organisering · Feministiskt Initiativ|website=Feministiskt Initiativ|access-date=25 October 2018|archive-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064453/https://feministisktinitiativ.se/politik/politikens-organisering/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Left Party (Sweden)|Left Party]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vansterpartiet.se/politik/barns-och-ungas-rattigheter/|title=Barns och ungas rättigheter|website=Vänsterpartiet|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926132612/https://www.vansterpartiet.se/politik/barns-och-ungas-rattigheter/|access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref>
*[[Green Party (Sweden)|Green Party]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mp.se/politik/demokrati-och-politik|title=Sverige ska vara öppet|date=5 December 2013|website=Miljöpartiet|access-date=13 March 2017|archive-date=13 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313125647/https://www.mp.se/politik/demokrati-och-politik|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====United Kingdom====
*[[Green Party of England and Wales]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://greenparty.org.uk/archive/news-archive/3440.html/|title=Green Party - Greens back calls for votes at 16|date=6 June 2008|work=greenparty.org.uk|access-date=1 October 2014|archive-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010020107/http://greenparty.org.uk/archive/news-archive/3440.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Green Party Northern Ireland]]<ref>[http://www.greenpartyni.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GreenParty_Manifesto_2017_Web.pdf Green Party in Northern Ireland manifesto 2017] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226131251/http://www.greenpartyni.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GreenParty_Manifesto_2017_Web.pdf |date=26 February 2017 }}. Section - Equality. P.15. Retrieved 9 September 2017.</ref>
*[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]<ref>[https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/labour-manifesto-2017.pdf Labour Party Manifesto 2017] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721070933/https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/labour-manifesto-2017.pdf |date=21 July 2020 }}. Page 103. Retrieved 11 September 2018</ref>
*[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]<ref>[https://labour.org.uk/latest/stories/time-votes-16/ Constitutional & Political Reform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912022136/https://labour.org.uk/latest/stories/time-votes-16/ |date=12 September 2018 }}. Liberal Democrats (official website). Retrieved 11 May 2017.</ref>
*[[Liberal Party (UK, 1989)|Liberal Party]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://liberal.org.uk/policies/government/|title=The Liberal Party: Government|last=Proffitt|first=David|work=liberal.org.uk|access-date=17 April 2018|archive-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093215/http://liberal.org.uk/policies/government/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[National Health Action Party]]<ref>[http://nhap.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/National-Health-Action-Party-Election-Manifesto-2015.pdf National Health Action Party - election manifesto 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428232457/http://nhap.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/National-Health-Action-Party-Election-Manifesto-2015.pdf |date=28 April 2016 }}. National Health Action Party (official website). p.10 - 'A fair political system'. Retrieved 14 May 2017.</ref>
*[[Plaid Cymru]]<ref>[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/lower-voting-age-to-16-2444307 'Lower voting age to 16'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908021940/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/lower-voting-age-to-16-2444307 |date=8 September 2017 }}. ''Wales Online''. Published 9 March 2004. Last updated 31 March 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2017.</ref>
*[[Scottish Conservatives]]
*[[Scottish Greens]]
*[[Scottish National Party]]
*[[Scottish Socialist Party]]<ref>[https://www.scottishsocialistparty.org/policies/policy-index/building-better-scotland/ Building a Better Scotland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325125726/https://www.scottishsocialistparty.org/policies/policy-index/building-better-scotland/ |date=25 March 2017 }}. 'We will also campaign for the following measures, which are not within the Scottish Parliament’s powers:...'''The reduction of the voting and candidacy age to 16 – for all elections''''. Scottish Socialist Party (official website). Retrieved 1 February 2017.</ref>
*[[Social Democratic and Labour Party]]
*[[Ulster Unionist Party]]
*[[Votes at 16]]

====United States====
{{See also|History of youth rights in the United States}}
*[[FairVote]]
*[[Green Party of Texas]]<ref name="Green Party of Texas">{{cite web|title=Platform|url=http://www.txgreens.org/platform|website=txgreens.org|access-date=12 August 2017|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812022844/http://www.txgreens.org/platform|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=September 2024}}
*[[National Youth Rights Association]]
*[[Rock the Vote]]
*[[Socialist Party USA]] (to 15 years of age)
*[[Vermont Libertarian Party]]{{Primary source inline|date=September 2024}}
*Future Voters of America<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.futurevotersofamerica.org/|title=Future Voters of America|publisher=Future Voters of America|access-date=6 January 2011|archive-date=17 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517155556/http://www.futurevotersofamerica.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Vote16USA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vote16usa.org/|title=Vote16USA|publisher=Vote16USA|access-date=7 August 2020|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817202125/http://vote16usa.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=September 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-04 |title=Meng Reintroduces Legislation to Lower the Voting Age in America to 16 Years Old {{!}} Congresswoman Grace Meng |url=https://meng.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/meng-reintroduces-legislation-to-lower-the-voting-age-in-america-to-16 |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=meng.house.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->
{{div col}}
*[[Adultcentrism]]
*[[Age of candidacy]]
*[[Age of majority]]
*[[Demeny voting]]
*[[Democratization]]
*[[Gerontocracy]]
*[[Intergenerational equity]]
*[[Suffrage]]
*[[Voter registration]]
*[[Youth]]
*[[Youth rights]]
*[[Youth suffrage]]{{colend}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* Caplan, Sheri J. ''Old Enough: How 18-Year-Olds Won the Vote & Why it Matters''. Heath Hen, 2020. {{ISBN|978-1-7354-9300-8}}
* {{cite thesis|degree=PhD|last=Hyde|first=Martin|title=Democracy education and the Canadian voting age|publisher=[[University of British Columbia]]|date=2001|hdl=2429/12999}}
* {{cite journal|last=Folkes|first=Alex|title=The case for votes at 16|journal=[[Representation (journal)|Representation]]|volume=41|issue=1|pages=52–56|doi=10.1080/00344890408523288|date=January 2004|s2cid=155065528|ref=none}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Cowley|first1=Philip|last2=Denver|first2=David|title=Votes at 16? The case against|journal=Representation|volume=41|issue=1|pages=57–62|doi=10.1080/00344890408523289|date=January 2004|s2cid=154637028|ref=none}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Melo|first1=Daniela F.|last2=Stockemer|first2=Daniel|title=Age and political participation in Germany, France and the UK: a comparative analysis|journal=[[Comparative European Politics]]|volume=12|issue=1|pages=33–53|doi=10.1057/cep.2012.31|date=January 2014|s2cid=144511766|ref=none}} [http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/56293/1/democraticaudit.com-Evidence_from_Britain_France_and_Germany_shows_young_people_are_engaged_in_more_direct_forms_of_polit.pdf Abridged version (pdf).] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619173134/https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/56293/1/democraticaudit.com-Evidence_from_Britain_France_and_Germany_shows_young_people_are_engaged_in_more_direct_forms_of_polit.pdf |date=19 June 2021 }}
* Chan, T.W. & Clayton, M. 2006, "Should the Voting Age be Lowered to Sixteen? Normative and Empirical Considerations", ''Political Studies, ''vol. 54, no. 3, pp.&nbsp;533–558.

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080109020202/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2123.html Field Listing - Suffrage] from the [[CIA World Factbook]]
*[http://de.kraetzae.de/wahlrecht/international/ A more complete list of voting ages around the world (in German)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128063009/http://de.kraetzae.de/wahlrecht/international/ |date=28 January 2010 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071012150818/http://freechild.org/SNAYR/suffrage.htm Youth Suffrage Resources]
*[https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/legal-voting-age-by-country.html Legal Voting Age by Country] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504183445/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/legal-voting-age-by-country.html |date=4 May 2022 }} by Worldatlas.com

{{Suffrage}}
{{Law country lists}}
{{Youth empowerment}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Voting Age}}
[[Category:Electoral restrictions]]
[[Category:Juvenile law]]
[[Category:Law-related lists]]
[[Category:Politics-related lists by country]]
[[Category:Minimum ages]]
[[Category:Law lists by country]]