14th October 2026
The Representation of the People Bill is a substantial package of proposed changes to how elections are run in the UK. As of 12 October 2026, it is being scrutinised in the House of Lords, following its passage through the Commons. It has not yet become law.
The main proposals are these.
1. Votes at 16
The voting age would be reduced from 18 to 16 for UK parliamentary elections, as well as local elections in England and Northern Ireland. Young people could register from age 14, helping ensure they are registered when they turn 16.
What this means for Scotland: 16- and 17-year-olds can already vote in Scottish Parliament and Scottish local elections. The most significant change would be giving them the vote in UK general elections, including elections for Westminster MPs.
The argument for the change is that young people should have a say in decisions affecting their future. Opponents question whether the voting age should be lower than the age at which people acquire full adult legal status.
2. More automatic voter registration
The bill would allow electoral registration officers to make greater use of information held by government departments and other public bodies to identify eligible people who are missing from the electoral register.
It would also permit trials of registration without an individual having to make a separate application. For example, information supplied when someone updates their address with a council could help update their electoral registration, subject to safeguards.
The aim is to reduce the number of eligible people who are unable to vote because they have not registered or their details are out of date.
There would be safeguards, including arrangements for people who need anonymous registration. The bill also proposes changing the open electoral register so people must actively opt in before their details are included on it.
3. Bank cards accepted as voter ID
The requirement to show identification at polling stations would remain, but UK-issued bank cards displaying the voter's name would be added to the accepted forms of ID.
The government also wants digital identification to be verifiable, rather than allowing a simple photograph or screenshot to be used.
The intention is to make it easier for legitimate voters to satisfy the ID requirement without abandoning it.
4. Tighter rules on political donations
The bill proposes stronger checks on donations to political parties and other regulated campaigners, with the stated aim of preventing foreign or otherwise illicit money from entering British politics.
For donations above the existing reporting threshold, recipients would have to carry out a risk assessment under a strengthened “Know Your Donor” framework. The bill also proposes stronger enforcement powers for the Electoral Commission.
This is particularly relevant at a time when online campaigning and overseas influence are major concerns. The practical test will be whether the new checks can identify suspicious funding without creating unnecessary obstacles for legitimate political donations.
5. More scrutiny of candidates and election campaigning
The proposals include requiring candidates to provide evidence of identity and sign a declaration confirming that their nomination details are truthful.
Political parties would be able to withdraw support from a candidate after nomination papers have been submitted, where concerns arise during the nomination period. The bill also includes measures to help candidates receive security briefings from police and proposals concerning harassment and intimidation around elections.
Other provisions cover election administration, postal and proxy voting, campaign material and the information that must appear on electronic political advertising.
6. Changes affecting the Electoral Commission
The bill would repeal the power introduced by the Elections Act 2022 that allowed the government to set a strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission.
That change is intended to protect the Commission's independence from direct government influence over its strategic priorities. The Commission would also receive stronger powers relating to the enforcement of political finance rules.
What about changing the voting system itself?
This is an important distinction. The bill does not propose replacing first-past-the-post for UK general elections with proportional representation.
There has been a separate push by a cross-party group of MPs for a commission to examine electoral reform. That is a proposal to investigate alternatives, not a change to the voting system contained in this bill.
What happens next?
The House of Lords is examining the bill clause by clause. Peers can propose amendments, after which further parliamentary stages and consideration of any differences between the two Houses would be needed before the legislation could receive Royal Assent.
The official documents are available here: Representation of the People Bill – government policy summaries. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/representation-of-the-people-bill-policy-summaries
The bill would widen the electorate, make registration easier, broaden acceptable voter ID, strengthen safeguards around political donations and improve the administration and security of elections. For Scotland, the extension of votes at 16 to Westminster elections is particularly significant because the lower voting age already applies to Scottish Parliament and local elections.