Scottish Youth Parliament
Voting is open for the Scottish Youth Parliament elections in East Ayrshire.
Young people in East Ayrshire can vote from Monday 2 November to elect three representatives to sit in the Scottish Youth Parliament for the next two years.
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is the youth-led body which empowers young people to champion and defend their rights and has a strong track record of campaigning on important issues.
Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) are aged between 14 and 25 and are democratically elected every two years. Two MSYPs will be elected for each Scottish Parliament constituency, along with representatives from voluntary organisations such as Girlguiding Scotland, Scouts Scotland, and LGBT Youth Scotland.
In East Ayrshire, two constituencies will be contested with candidates having a chance to represent other young people in their local community. One will be elected for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Constituency and two for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley Constituency.
The polls will be open from Monday 2 November to Sunday 15 November, with newly elected MSYPs announced as results come in from Tuesday 17 November.
Since 1999, SYP has successfully campaigned for free bus travel, the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law, and the right of 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in all Scottish elections, amongst other issues.
Jack Anderson MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “Now more than ever, it is important to promote young people's democratic participation, and this is a chance for the young people of East Ayrshire to choose their representatives who will champion the issues which matter most to them over the next two years.
“All young people aged 12–25 are entitled to vote in the SYP elections and I would encourage them to go online, find out who is standing in their area, read about what the candidates stand for, and then cast their vote
Adam Strain, Ayrshire36 Strategic Lead: Community Pathways:
“Good luck to all of our incredible candidates standing in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections. This is essential for driving positive change and ensuring youth voice is at the heart of communities. If you are aged between 12 – 25 in East Ayrshire, please get involved and make your vote count.”
There are a number of ways young people can cast a vote. To find out how to vote in each constituency or to vote for a voluntary organisation candidate, visit here
