Kids Voting For Councils
If you want to increase the participation of young people in national and local issues and democracy then Kids Voting is for you!
In 2007 and 2010 kids voted in the local government elections. In 2008 and 2011 they got to choose who they would like to see in parliament. In 2009 schools were able to choose whether to hold an election or referendum for their students on an issue that was of specific interest to them.
Kids Voting is a great opportunity for you to get involved with schools and young people in your area and to support their learning about national and local issues, enrolling and voting.
The materials are free and your involvement will simply be to encourage schools in your district or city to get involved.
If you want to be involved in Kids Voting you can:
- Register your interest.
- Get in touch with your local schools that are taking part (we will let you know which schools are taking part in your area).
- Provide relevant information or materials to support the teacher.
- Encourage your electoral officer to get involved in the running of Kids Voting.
Who could be involved from council?
- Democratic Services and Electoral Officers
- Community Development and Youth Advisors
- Communications Staff
- Environmental Education Staff
- Elected Members
As in previous years it is up to individual councils to determine the level of input and support you provide to schools. Advantages for councils who participate include:
- Encouraging active citizenship, access to, and participation in, decision-making forums - both local and central.
- Building public awareness and promoting better-informed communities.
- Helping to demystify decision-making and electoral processes and encourage voter turnout at both a local and national level.
- Contributing to the on-going nationwide effort to promote a consistent civic education programme in all schools.
- Capitalising on the momentum from Kids Voting 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 to build a longer-term partnership between schools and council.
Teachers have said that council involvement makes a positive difference to students' experiences of Kids Voting.
Kids Voting is fun, it's free and it's an easy way to engage with students in your community. So take part in 2013.