Young people urged to make themselves heard
Young people across the west coast have been told to make themselves heard by going to the ballot boxes as part of Welcome to Your Vote Week 2024.
The annual campaign is designed to encourage school pupils and young people to use their voice and get involved in democracy so that they can help influence and shape decisions about issues that matter to them.
It is running this year from January 29 to February 4.
The Electoral Commission, which organises the campaign, is encouraging local schools, youth groups and young people themselves to take part and think about ways they can be more active in local democracy now and as they grow older.
One of the key aims is to encourage young people to take up their right to vote wherever possible by registering and by using that vote in the appropriate elections.
Ahead of Welcome To Your Vote week, young people in Argyll and Bute who will soon be able to vote will receive letters encouraging them to sign up and get involved in the democratic decision-making process.
Teenagers don’t need to wait to receive a letter though, they can register to vote online by clicking here.
If you are 16 or over and you have already registered, you can make sure your voice matters by voting in certain elections including the local government and Scottish Parliament elections in Scotland.
While you cannot vote until at least 16, you can register from the age of 14.
There are many other ways that young people can be more active and use their voice in local democracy and in their community including volunteering, talking with others about issues that matter, joining a political party or campaign group and even standing for election.
Find out more at www. electoralcommission.org.uk/ resources/welcome-your-vote. Make sure to select Scotland as your location.
There is information there for young people, as well as resources for anyone who works with them or offers support.
Check out the #WelcomeToYourVote hashtag on social media over the course of the week for more details.