News Release from John Swinney MSP
Attn: News Desk
For Immediate release: Thursday 3rd September 2015
SWINNEY ENCOURAGES 16 &17 YEAR OLDS TO GET REGISTERED
During the week of 7 - 11 September schools and colleges across Scotland will be helping 15-17 year old students register to vote by ‘taking time out to get in’ during class time and local Perthshire North MSP John Swinney, is encouraging Scotland’s youngest new votes to get ready to register.
The Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act 2015 enables 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland to vote at Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections.
Speaking on the Electoral Commission’s campaign John Swinney said:
“The electoral Commission is running this camping to encourage all schools and colleges across Scotland to hold a registration session during the week of 7-11 September.
“Schools participating in the ‘Time out to get in‘ initiative will run registration sessions where teachers will help their 15 to 17 year old students register online during class time.
The way in which our young adults engaged in the referendum was an inspiration which is why the age has been lowered now for other Scottish elections.
I call on all 15 to17 year olds to ensure they register either at session in their school or college or by independently visiting www.gov.uk/registertovote.”
ENDS
Contact Dave Doogan: 01250 876576 / 07828886162
Notes for news editors: For more information please contact Jonathan Mitchell, Communication Officer, on 0131 225 0202 or jmitchell@electoralcommission.org.uk
Dave Doogan
Assistant to John Swinney MSP
Perthshire North Constituency Office
35 Perth Street
Blairgowrie
PH10 6DL
01250 876576
