The SNP has today highlighted and welcomed a campaign to by the Electoral Commission to promote voter registration for young people.
The campaign – Time to get #IN – aims to ensure 16 and 17 year olds (and 15 year olds who will be 16 on polling day 5 May 2016) are informed and able to register to vote in Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections.
The campaign is encouraging all schools and colleges across Scotland to hold a registration session during the week of 7-11 September.
Commenting, SNP Cunninghame South Candidate Ruth, who is also North Ayrshire Councils Youth Champion said:
“I’m backing the Time to get #IN campaign by the Electoral Commission to encourage young people from across Scotland to get registered for next year’s elections.
“In last year’s referendum 16, 17 and 18 year olds overwhelmingly grasped the opportunity to have their democratic voice heard, here in North Ayrshire the turnout was fantastic.
“Since then the Scottish Parliament passed The Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act 2015 enabling 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland to vote at Scottish elections, including Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections.
“Young people are now rightly considered a key part of the democratic process in Scotland – and the onus is on us all to ensure we make it is accessible and easy as possible to ensure the greatest number possible are registered to vote in May 2016.”
Ruth Maguire MSP 