YOUNG PEOPLE IN Moray are being reminded that for the first time they are being called on to vote in a national election.
The Scottish Elections in May will be the first where 16 and 17-year-olds have the right to vote following the highly successful introduction to the electoral system for the Scottish Independence Referendum.
Scotland is only the second country in the European Union to lower the voting age for national elections – however, a recent poll shows that those aged between 16 and 24-years-old are the least likely to use their vote in May.
Moray MP Angus Robertson said: “It is hugely important that our young people know they can take a full part in Scottish Parliament elections. Their opinions matter, their voices should be heard, and their votes can make a difference to how our country is run.
“When I was first elected in 2001 I was the youngest MP in Scotland and I committed to championing the rights of young people, including voting rights. I was delighted in 2014 that 16 and 17-year-olds got to vote in the referendum.
“One of the most inspiring aspects of the referendum campaign was the way so many young people got involved with politics for the first time – more than 100,000 16 and 17-year-olds used their vote in 2014.
“Some young people might think that politics just doesn’t impact their lives, but that couldn’t be further from the truth – in fact, everything I’ve seen during my time at Westminster has just made me even more convinced that young people need a voice in politics.
“With issues such as tuition fees at stake in the election, young people can’t stand on the side and leave it up to other people – they need to make their voices heard.
“With less than three months to go until the Scottish Parliament election, there has never been a more important time to make sure that you are registered to vote. People have until 18 April to register and you can do it online at www.registertovote.scot.”