Age Requirements for Voting: Eligibility Rules for the 2026 Election

The 2026 election is set to take place on 1 and 8 February. This important event calls on every citizen to exercise their voting rights. However, many people, especially first-time voters, may wonder, What is the minimum age to vote? What are the conditions? This article will clarify the voting age requirement, who is eligible to vote, and who can participate in the referendum, presented in an easy-to-understand summary.

Voting age requirements: Checking voter eligibility for 2026

According tothe Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives B.E. 2561 (2018)the qualifications for voters are as follows:

• Must be at least 18 years old on the election day.
• Must hold Thai nationality; if naturalized, must have held Thai nationality for at least 5 years.
• Must be registered in the electoral district’s household registry for at least 90 days before the election.

Those prohibited from voting include:

• Monks, novices, ascetics, or religious clergy.
• Individuals who have been stripped of their voting rights.
• Persons legally detained by a lawful order.
• Those who are mentally ill, insane, or otherwise incapacitated.

Who are the first-time voters in this election and referendum?

The 2026 election marks the first time voting for those born between 15 May 2005 and 8 February 2008. Regarding the referendum, first-time voters are those born between 8 August 1998 and 8 February 2008, counting from the 2016 referendum.

What should you do if you cannot attend the 2026 election?

Voting in 2026 is a crucial duty for citizens to exercise their voice. If anyone cannot attend, they can report their reason atthe Office of the Election Commission’s websiteor via the Smart Vote application before or within seven days after the election. Failure to do so will disqualify them from running for office and restrict their right to contest election results for two years.

In summary, voters must be at least 18 years old. They must have been born on or before 8 February 2008, and should bring their national ID card or an official photo ID with a personal identification number to vote on 8 February.

Related news articles

• How to correctly mark the ballot paper in the 2026 election to ensure your vote counts.
• How many ballot papers are there in the 2026 election and what colors should be marked? Includes sample ballot images.