Holyrood 2016: Teenagers Get The Vote

Young people in Fife, aged 15 and over, are being urged to register to vote ahead of next year's Holyrood election.

The call comes on UN International Youth Day. The 2016 election will be the first where 16 and 17 year olds will have the right to vote after MSPs unanimously backed the move. Last week the Electoral Commission launched a campaign to maximise voter registration amongst young people who will be 16 by the time of the election. 

Commenting, the UK’s youngest MP Mhairi Black said: “It is very fitting that we are marking International Youth Day shortly after Scotland became only the second country in the EU to lower the voting age to 16 for national elections. The SNP has long believed 16 and 17 year olds should be able to vote – and last year’s referendum sparked a spirit of political engagement that saw 110,000 over 16 and 17 year olds use their vote. 

“Lowering the voting age sends a strong message to young people in Scotland: we believe that your opinion does matter, your voice should be heard and your vote will influence the future of our country. 

“Registering to vote is easy and will only take 5 minutes – just go to gov.uk/register-to-vote. I would encourage all people over 15 to register to vote and, more importantly, to get involved.”