Election 2021: If you're 16 and you voted let us know

Casting your vote in this day and age of restrictions and pandemics will be a new experience for all of us but for 16-year-old first time voters it may be the way they do things from now on.
By James Trimble
Published 6th May 2021, 15:20 BST
Updated 6th May 2021, 15:24 BST
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The Scottish elections are now well underway, with votes being cast in a more socially distanced way than any previous election.

There will be no pencil waiting for you to make your all important mark and voters are encouraged to bring their own pens or pencils – even though disposable ones will be available.

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You may also have to queue at polling places as numbers inside at any one time will be restricted and face masks should be worn when inside you polling station – unless you are medically exempt from wearing one.

Residents cast their votes at Bowhouse Community Centre polling station which has had to set up additional safety measures due to the COVID-19 pandemicResidents cast their votes at Bowhouse Community Centre polling station which has had to set up additional safety measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Residents cast their votes at Bowhouse Community Centre polling station which has had to set up additional safety measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Hand sanitisers and protective screens will also be in place and staff will periodically wipe down public areas.

While this new process may be a novelty and a bit of adjustment for old hands at the voting game, for 16-year-old first time voters it will just be a continuation of the way they have had to live for over a year now.

The voting age, which was lowered in Scotland back in 2013, means 16-year-olds are once again allowed to vote in today’s Scottish Parliament elections.

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Anyone age 16 or older, with a Scottish address, is allowed to vote in the elections, just as they were in the independence referendum of 2014 and the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections.

If you are a 16-year-old first time voter leave a message in the comment section about your experience.

Related topics:ElectionScottish ParliamentScotland

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