Votes at 16 Campaign

Votes at 16 (UK) is a coalition of young people and leading youth and democracy organisations campaigning to lower the voting age to 16 in the UK.

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

A NEW AGE FOR DEMOCRACY:

16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in next general election.

https://t.co/5tHwd3uypt

[British Youth Council @bycLIVE]

Time's running out to take part in #MakeYourMark 2024! Don't miss out - take part today.

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

@lucyisxbelhulme 👏👏👏

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

Lucy Hulme, Chair of the Votes at 16 Youth Action Group, asks the public 🎙️:

🗳️ Do you believe you had enough mandatory political education at school?

#VotesAt16Chat #VoxPop

[Scottish Youth Parliament @OfficialSYP]

⏯️ Emily Tweddle, Anna Vause and Alexandra Waterston-law spoke to @ITVBorderRB's @HannahMargBrown on their election to SYP

📺 The MSYPs for the Scottish Borders @SBYVoice spoke about women in politics, @VotesAt16 and more

🔗 Watch here: https://t.co/YvfA0tCEHu

[The Body Shop UK @TheBodyShopUK]

“Democracy knows no age”🙌🙌
Young people are inspired, dedicated and willing to use their voice to make change. It’s time they are #BeSeenBeHeard in politics for all our futures sake💚📢

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

Study shows young people across Europe are sending a similar message:
🔶Feel distanced from formal democratic processes & so opt for direct action e.g. on climate
🔷Value democracy as a principle & would engage with politics if it gave a say in decisions that affect their lives

[FEPS @FEPS_Europe]

🧑‍🤝Are young people really disinterested in democracy?

We surveyed over 100 young people from 🇮🇪 🇵🇱 🇪🇸 🇭🇺 🇫🇷 and unpacked myths on how young people facing disadvantage perceive democracy in our new policy study ⤵️

https://t.co/8U5yxtASxx

1/🧵

[The Body Shop UK @TheBodyShopUK]

Have your voice #BeSeenBeHeard at this year’s #MakeYourMark📢 Young people’s opinions should be heard and valued💚🙌 @bycLIVE

[Northern Ireland Youth Assembly @NIYouthAssembly]

🗳 As #WelcomeToYourVote week draws to a close, we caught up with some of our members to hear more about what we discovered...

Thanks to @ElectoralCommUK for an amazing session 🙌

To find out more visit 👇https://t.co/8Z7qDnhwz4

#yourvoicematters

[My Life My Say @mylifemysay]

According to the latest Youth Index, 37% of young people cite a lack of political knowledge as to why they do not vote❗️

We’re making an effort to change that by demystifying some of the political terms that you will hear this year 🗳️

Starting with “constituency” 👇

[Electoral Commission @ElectoralCommUK]

There are elections happening across England and Wales on 2 May🗳️

You can find out which elections are happening in your area by entering your postcode into our search⬇️
https://t.co/Bav1zhnfoz

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

Want to let decision makers know what you're passionate about but not old enough to vote in elections yet?

Make Your Mark provides 11-18 year old's the unique opportunity to vote on the issues that matter to them.

👇Take part today!

#MakeYourMark

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

...
✅An inclusive voting system
✅Better political education in school
✅More accessible voting formats

Among many other things! Read our Manifesto for Votes at 16 to see our vision of a politically inclusive future: https://t.co/HSdzPBryYo

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

We want to see young people headed to the ballots this general election year (or registering to vote, if you're 16 or 17)! But importantly, there are valid barriers that prevent young people from voting. That's why we're campaigning for...

[British Youth Council @bycLIVE]

"The only way to encourage the government to make the changes we want to see is to be vocal and demonstrate young people’s electoral value by using the right to vote."

Interesting read (which we're grateful for the feature in!) from @PalatinateUK.

https://t.co/isOQjpgF2G

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

Are you 16-18, based in the UK, and want to get involved + boost young people's democratic power❓

📣💥Apply to join the Votes at 16 Youth Action Group today❗

➡️https://t.co/rZ2Ht5D0ZG

#BeSeenBeHeard

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

🗳️ Which year did the UK reduce its minimum voting age to 18❓

Lucy Hulme @lucyisxbelhulme, Chair of the Votes at 16 Youth Action Group, quizzes the public🎙️

#VotesAt16Quiz #VoxPop

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

✅85% of young people surveyed feel there aren't enough opportunities to learn about politics & democracy at school. Most people answered correctly!

Read the manifesto🧾https://t.co/JyScudJqsj

Sign the petition📢https://t.co/dWxq7N4VUC

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

#VotesAt16Quiz🤔✍️

What percent of young people feel there aren't enough opportunities to learn about politics & democracy at school?

[Votes at 16 Campaign @votesat16]

Thanks for the feature @Shoutout_UK! We agree - more young people need to register to vote. But this can only happen with better political education to ensure the prospect of voting feels less daunting.

👀Read the article: https://t.co/gnhfPVDlas

[The Body Shop UK @TheBodyShopUK]

“Having the experience of the votes at 16 campaign up my sleeve, has validated my self-confidence and belief in my interest of politics. I do not worry when a peer asks about politics. I do not worry when a politician challenges me. In fact, I thrive on it.”
Check out @bycLIVE’s latest blog from Ella Kearley, a member of the Votes at 16 Youth Action Group https://t.co/183k5UJnrb

[The Body Shop UK @TheBodyShopUK]

Great to see ​@lucyisxbelhulme from @byclive quoted in @theipaper discussing how disenfranchisement can lead to mainstream political apathy, and leave some young people more likely to adopt extremist political views. In an election year, it's more important now than ever to ensure young people use their voices! #BeSeenBeHeard

https://t.co/PrYQbFIDsc