Young people cast SYP votes

VOTING is under way in the 2017 Scottish Youth Parliament elections, with prospective representatives for both city constituencies already battling it out at the ballot box.

Young people between the ages of 12 and 25 are casting their votes at roadshows hitting each secondary school, Dundee and Angus College and Abertay and Dundee universities between now and March 17.

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), which holds elections every two years, is the elected voice of the country’s young people giving them a national platform to discuss important issues and influence the changes they wish to see.

The SYP played a significant role in helping secure votes for 16-year-olds in Scottish Parliament and local government elections and has also been a key voice in the drive for equal marriage through its Love Equally campaign.

Dundee City Council’s community learning and development youth work teams are supporting not only the young candidates in the city’s east and west constituencies but also making sure eligible voters make their mark.

Teams have already visited St Paul’s, Grove, Harris and Morgan academies and were due to set up election booths at St John’s High School today.

They will visit the remaining schools and colleges, as well as Dundee and Abertay universities, over the next week.

The SYP’s current campaign, Speak Your Mind, focuses on raising awareness of mental health.