Votes at 16 pass into Scots law

27 July 2015

16 and 17 year olds in Scotland will be able to vote in elections from next year as the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act 2015 received Royal Assent on 24 July.

The Act will allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in:

• Scottish Parliament elections
• local government elections― including by-elections.

The Commissioner said of the Act becoming law:

“Last year’s referendum showed that giving 16 and 17 year olds the chance to vote strengthens democratic debate in Scotland. Here, we saw the nation’s young people were every bit as engaged and informed about Scotland’s future as voters over the age of 18.

“I am glad the voices of young people will continue to be heard in Scotland, and that they will continue to have their say in how their country is governed.”