Executive Summary

In the Philippines, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voter registration hinges on a simple age rule: you must be at least 15 but not yet 31 years old on election day and meet the usual citizenship and residency requirements in your barangay. Those 15–17 are recorded on the SK voters’ list; those 18–30 are regular voters in the Barangay/precinct list and, if still under 31 on election day, may also vote for SK officials. This framework comes chiefly from the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 (R.A. 10742, as amended by R.A. 11768) alongside the Voters’ Registration Act (R.A. 8189) and COMELEC regulations.

Legal Bases (Philippine Context)

R.A. 10742 (SK Reform Act of 2015) – Establishes the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) as the body of all youth 15 to 30 years old living in the barangay and provides that KK members elect SK officials.
R.A. 11768 (2022 amendments) – Refines SK systems but retains KK membership at 15–30; SK elective officials must be 18–24 on election day (for candidates), which does not change the voter age bracket.
R.A. 8189 (Voters’ Registration Act of 1996) – Governs regular voter registration (18+) and the continuing system of registration, deactivation/reactivation, and transfers.
Omnibus Election Code & COMELEC Resolutions – Implement registration windows, documentary requirements, precinct assignments, and list integration for SK vis-à-vis regular voters.

Core Age Rules for SK Voters

Age on Election Day Controls.
- Qualified SK voter: 15 to 30 years old on election day (i.e., you must have turned 15 on or before election day and must not yet be 31 on election day).
- The age you attain after election day is irrelevant to your eligibility for that election.
Two Registration Pathways Based on Age:
- A. Ages 15–17 (Minors):
  - Register as SK voter only (you cannot vote in barangay/regular elections).
  - Your name appears on the SK List of Voters for your barangay.
- B. Ages 18–30 (Adults):
  - Register as a regular voter under R.A. 8189.
  - If you are still under 31 on election day, you also vote for SK officials. No separate “SK-only” registration is needed once you are in the regular list.
Turning 15 or 31 Around Election Time:
- Turning 15 on/before election day → eligible to register as SK voter.
- Turning 31 on/before election day → not eligible to vote for SK (you age out).

Residency, Citizenship, and Other Baseline Qualifications

Citizenship: Filipino citizen.
Residency: At least 6 months immediately preceding election day in the barangay where you intend to vote (mirroring barangay voter rules applied to the KK).
No legal disqualifications under election laws (e.g., those adjudged insane/incompetent by competent authority, etc.).
Literacy: No literacy requirement for voters (literacy requirements appear for candidates, not voters).

Registration Mechanics by Age Bracket

1) Ages 15–17: First-Time SK Registration

What you file: SK registration application with COMELEC (during the announced “continuous registration” dates).
IDs/evidence: A government/school ID or birth certificate showing name, photo, signature, and date of birth, plus proof of address in the barangay (IDs or other evidence per COMELEC guidance).
Biometrics: COMELEC captures biometrics (photo, fingerprints, signature).
Outcome: Your name goes to the SK List of Voters of your barangay.

Important transitions:

When you turn 18, you must apply as a regular voter (not automatic). This is called a status change from “SK-only” to “regular.” Do this during the next registration period so you can vote in barangay (and still in SK until you age out).

2) Ages 18–30: Regular Registration (With SK Voting Privilege)

What you file: Regular voter registration under R.A. 8189 (application to be included in the Barangay/Precinct List).
Effect on SK voting: If you are 18–30 on election day, you are also a KK member and may vote for SK officials in addition to barangay officials. No separate SK form is required.
Transfers/updates: If you move barangays, file a transfer so both your regular and SK voting occur in your new barangay.

Edge Cases and Practical Scenarios

I’m 14 now, turning 15 before election day. You may register as an SK voter during the registration period as long as you will be 15 on or before election day and meet residency requirements.
I’m 17 now, turning 18 before election day. You may (and should) register as a regular voter if the registration period is open; if already registered as SK-only, apply for status change to regular so you can vote in both barangay and SK.
I’m 30 now, turning 31 a week after election day. You can still vote for SK in that election (you are 30 on election day), and of course vote as a regular voter as well.
I moved to a different barangay within 6 months of election day. You may be short of residency for SK voting in the new barangay. The 6-month rule is counted backward from election day in the barangay where you intend to vote.
I lost my biometrics/record or was deactivated. If you were deactivated (e.g., for failure to vote in two successive regular elections, applicable to regular voters), file reactivation (and any needed transfer) during registration. For SK-only voters who’ve since turned 18, file a regular registration (and transfer if needed).

Relationship Between KK Membership and Voter Lists

KK Membership (15–30) is the substantive basis for the right to vote in SK elections.
Voter Lists are administrative:
- SK List records 15–17 and any 18–30 who, for administrative reasons, aren’t in the regular list (rare and subject to current COMELEC practice).
- Regular List (Barangay/Precinct) records all 18+. Those 18–30 on election day are automatically KK and may vote for SK officials using the same precinct (COMELEC consolidates precinct/cluster arrangements and issues separate ballots as needed).

Disqualifications Related to Age and Identity (Documentation)

Proof of age is foundational. Discrepancies between your birthdate on IDs and your application can delay or prevent listing.
COMELEC can deny, include, or exclude entries after hearings (e.g., wrong age, non-residency). Petitions for inclusion/exclusion may be filed in court within statutory periods.

Procedural Tips

Watch the registration calendar. COMELEC implements a system of continuing registration but suspends it during certain pre-election periods.
Bring originals and photocopies of ID(s) showing your birth date and barangay address.
If you’re 17 now but 18 by election day, go straight to regular registration when possible—this lets you vote in both barangay and SK.
Transferees: If changing residence, file a transfer early to meet the 6-month residency cut-off in your target barangay.
Name/Birthdate Corrections: If your records are wrong, file a correction (and bring supporting civil registry documents).

Quick Reference Table

Situation on Election Day	Eligible to Vote for SK?	Where You Should Be Registered
15–17 years old	Yes	SK List of Voters (barangay)
18–30 years old	Yes	Regular Voters List (barangay/precinct); still votes for SK
31 years old or older	No	N/A for SK (but may remain a regular voter for other elections if 18+)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I register twice if I’m 18–30? No. If you’re 18–30 on election day, regular registration suffices; you’ll also be allowed to vote for SK.

If I registered as SK at 16, do I need to register again at 18? Yes—apply as a regular voter (status change) once you turn 18 so you can vote in all elections.

What if my birthday is exactly on election day? You are considered your new age on election day. Turning 15 on election day qualifies you; turning 31 on election day disqualifies you for SK voting.

Is there a minimum schooling or literacy requirement? None for voters. Literacy requirements attach to candidates, not to KK members who vote.

Bottom Line

Age window: 15–30 on election day.
Registration track: 15–17 → SK list; 18–30 → regular list (and still SK-eligible).
Always test your age against the election date and keep residency and documentation aligned.
Turn 18? Convert to regular voter at the next registration to vote in all elections—including SK until you age out at 31.