Time is running out to vote in SYP Elections

Young people across Scotland are being urged to make their voices heard before voting closes in the Scottish Youth Parliament Elections this Friday (March 17).
Scottish Youth Parliament logoScottish Youth Parliament logo
Scottish Youth Parliament logo

Thousands of young people between the ages of 12 and 25 have already voted in the election, which has over 300 candidates fighting for seats representing their constituency or voluntary organisation.

Two MSYPs are elected from every parliamentary constituency in Scotland, and from our partnering national voluntary organisations. SYP has a current membership of approximately 150 young people from various backgrounds.

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The polls - which opened on March 3 - will close on Friday (March 17), and those who have yet to vote are being encouraged to make sure their voices are heard before it’s too late.

To date, SYP has been heavily influential in effecting change for young people across the country. As a longstanding campaigner for Votes at 16, SYP’s involvement helped to bring about policy change allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum, and in all subsequent Scottish Parliament and local government elections.

SYP’s work to encourage the Scottish Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from eight to 12 was also successful this year, when this long-awaited change was announced.

More recently, ten MSYPs met with the full Scottish Cabinet on Tuesday 28 February to discuss issues affecting young people today. This historic event is now set to become an annual meeting, and has firmly cemented the relationship SYP has with the Scottish Government in ensuring young people’s voices are not only heard but listened to.

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For more information on candidates standing for election, and details on how to place your vote (online voting is available in most areas via Young Scot’s e-voting platform) visit www.syp.org.uk/stand4syp