- Young people in Wales aged from 11 up to 18 years are eligible to vote
- 60 members will make up Welsh Youth Parliament
- Welsh Youth Parliament will empower young people to identify and raise awareness of the issues that matter to them
Voter registration is officially open for the new Welsh Youth Parliament.
Llywydd of the National Assembly for Wales, Elin Jones AM, has invited young people between the age of 11 and up to 18 to sign up for the historic first ballot to be held in November.
The launch happened at the Urdd Eisteddfod at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, where young people visiting the Assembly’s stand were among the first to register on the new Welsh Youth Parliament website www.youthparliament.wales.
Potential candidates will be able to register their interest in standing for election from 3 September.
60 members will take their seats in the Parliament when it meets for the first time in February next year. 40 will represent the 40 constituencies of Wales, while another 20 will be elected by partner organisations to make sure there is representation from diverse groups of young people.
A Welsh Youth Parliament term will last for two years and will empower young people to identify, raise awareness and debate the issues that are important to them.
“The Welsh Youth Parliament is a completely new way for young people in Wales to have their say,” said Elin Jones AM, Llywydd of the National Assembly for Wales.
“Their opinions matter so the Welsh Youth Parliament will make sure those voices are listened to by the people with the power to change things.
“I am calling on everyone in Wales from age 11 up to 18 to register to vote, to use their voice and to help make the changes to improve their lives through a democratic forum which is here specifically to represent their needs.”
The National Assembly voted to establish a youth parliament in October 2016 and asked the views of more than 5,000 young people across Wales.
The National Assembly has also worked closely with a steering group of youth organisations providing expert guidance and, critically, views from the point of view of young people which contributed to the shaping of the new Welsh Youth Parliament.
The Assembly’s youth outreach and education team will hold a series of workshops, school and colleges visits, train the trainer sessions and provide resources for organisations to hold their own events.
More information will be available on the Welsh Youth Parliament website.
Make your vote count
You’ll use your vote to decide who represents you and your part of Wales in the Welsh Youth Parliament.