UK Explained
Bills · In the Lords

Voting and elections

The other House is now going through the same steps. If it makes changes, both Houses must agree the final wording.

In plain words

This bill would lower the voting age to 16 for UK parliamentary elections, make voter registration more automatic, accept in-date bank cards as voter ID, and bring in new rules on political donations.

Summary drafted by AI, checked by Jonathan on 4 Oct 2026. Source: Parliament Library briefing.

Official title: Representation of the People Bill

  1. 1Introduced1st reading
  2. 2Main debate2nd reading
  3. 3Detailed checksCommittee
  4. 4ChangesReport stage
  5. 5Final vote3rd reading
  6. 6Other houseLords or Commons
  7. 7Becomes lawRoyal Assent

Nothing has been scheduled yet.

Put forward by Steve Reed, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage.

Votes so far

DateVoteCountResult
2 Sep 2026Voting and elections: the final vote411 for, 102 againstAgreed
2 Sep 2026Voting and elections: a proposed change85 for, 427 againstRejected
2 Sep 2026Voting and elections: a proposed change105 for, 410 againstRejected
2 Sep 2026Voting and elections: a proposed change166 for, 346 againstRejected
2 Mar 2026Voting and elections: an attempt to block it105 for, 410 againstRejected
Full timeline
DateStageHouse
12 Feb 20261st readingCommons
2 Mar 20262nd readingCommons
2 Mar 2026Programme motionCommons
2 Mar 2026Money resolutionCommons
2 Mar 2026Carry-over motionCommons
18 Mar 2026, 24 Mar 2026, 26 Mar 2026Committee stageCommons
14 May 2026Bill reintroducedCommons
2 Sep 2026Programme motionCommons
2 Sep 2026Report stageCommons
2 Sep 20263rd readingCommons
3 Sep 20261st readingLords
14 Sep 20262nd readingLords

In the bill’s own words: Make provision extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds; to make provision about the registration of voters; to make provision about the administration and conduct of elections, referendums and recall petitions; to make provision about election agents’ addresses; to make provision about political expenditure and political donations; to make provision about information to be included in electronic campaigning material; to make provision about offences and civil sanctions in connection with elections, referendums and recall petitions and with donations and expenditure for political purposes; to repeal provision about the designation of a strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission; to make provision about the disclosure of information by the Electoral Commission; to make provision about the disqualification of offenders for holding elective offices, and their sentencing, where offences are aggravated by hostility towards persons involved in elections, referendums or recall petitions or holders of such offices; and for connected purposes.

Official page on Parliament’s site

Source: Parliament Bills API · Commons votes from the Commons Votes API.