Crunch Youth Elections

Young voters across Fife are being encouraged to put pen to paper.

The Scottish Youth Parliament elections take place this month.

Five constituencies are up for grabs here, with those aged between 12 and 25 eligible to vote.

The SYP elections follow the same constituency boundaries as the Scottish Parliament:

• Cowdenbeath
• Dunfermline
• Kirkcaldy
• Glenrothes & Mid Fife
• North East Fife

The candidate standing in North East Fife was unopposed and therefore, like other elections, will automatically be elected. This means that there won’t be an election for young people to vote in for this constituency.

There are a number of common issues that the candidates are campaigning for including:

• youth centres and services for young people
• jobs and work experience for young people
• living wage for young people
• health and well-being of young people; and
• public transport

Following on from the success of the online voting system used the last time, young voters aged between 12-25 will once again be able to cast their vote online, in partnership with the Scottish Youth Parliament and Young Scot, using their Myfife or Young Scot card.

Young people, in the constituencies where voting will take place, will be able to cast their vote at elections.youngscot.org from 9am, Monday 2 March until 3.30pm, Friday 13 March. The successful candidates announced on the evening of Friday 13 March at the Rothes Hall, Glenrothes.

If you're aged between 12-25, live in a constituency where voting will take place, and would like to vote in this year’s elections but don't have Young Scot entitlement on your Myfife card, or don't have a Young Scot card, you will need to:

For those still at school: Ask at your school office for a replacement card to be sent to you and for the Young Scot entitlement to be added to it.
For those who don’t have a Myfife card with Young Scot entitlement, or a Young Scot card, or go to school outside Fife: Make an appointment with your local office for a Myfife card with Young Scot entitlement. You will have to take photo evidence and proof of address (passport or full photo driving licence).
To find out who is standing as a candidate in the 2015 Scottish Youth Parliament elections and to read their manifestos visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/msyp You can also find out who your current MSYP by visiting this page.

Ross Martin, Young People’s Officer, said: “The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland's young people, campaigning on the issues which matter to them. The SYP provides young people with a national platform to voice their issues, turn them into positive actions, and influence Scotland's decision makers so voting is the most important way for Fife’s young people to make their voices heard on the issues that matter to them.”