New powers to enable 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election will be devolved to Holyrood in March.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael confirmed the timetable yesterday.
The announcement represents the first piece of legislation which will be transferred from Westminster as part of the Smith Commission devolution agreement.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Government’s decision to extend the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds in the referendum legislation is widely seen as an outstanding success and contributed to the unprecedented level of democratic engagement we witnessed.
“I am delighted that there is now cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament for extending the franchise to include 16 and 17-year-olds for Scottish Parliament and local government elections.”
Ms Sturgeon, MSP for Glasgow Southside, said the agreement illustrated what could be achieved when there was “political will” on both sides.
Mr Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, said: “I’ve always been a firm believer in votes at 16, with the sheer number of young people participating and voting in last year’s referendum I believe the case has become undeniable.
“Today marks the next phase in our commitment to people in Scotland and the start of an landmark week for the future of our country.
“Later this week we will publish draft legislation ahead of Burns night, meeting our promise to bring new powers built to last for the Scottish Parliament.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has urged the first minister to abandon the principle that Holyrood knows best and instead open a “twinned track” approach to decentralisation of power across Scotland.
He wants the Scottish Government to ensure local authorities are allowed to keep council tax and business rates to invest in local services.
Mr Rennie said: “Failure to transfer powers across Scotland at the same time as they are being transferred to Scotland will be a profound breach of the Smith Agreement by the SNP.”