The changes mean around 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in the next general election, which must be held by 2029 but could be earlier.
The government says the change will give young people a chance to have a say in how the UK is run.
“At 16, a young person can work, they pay taxes, they can join the Army. So there’s no reason why from that age, they shouldn’t have a say in who governs our country,” said Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali.
The commitment to lower the voting age was in Labour’s 2024 election manifesto.
It represents the biggest change to the make-up of the electorate since voter age was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1969.
It means 16-year-olds will be able to vote in all elections across the UK. As is the case in Scotland, young people will also be able to register to vote at 14.
The minimum voting age is already 16 for local council elections in Scotland and Wales, as well as for elections to the Welsh Parliament and Scottish Parliament.
However, you currently need to be 18 to vote in UK parliamentary elections, local elections in England and all elections in Northern Ireland.
You will still need to be 18 to stand as a candidate.
