Young voters urged to 'use your voice' in Senedd Election 2021

• Vote Week 16 on 22-26 February raises awareness and gives young people confidence to vote for the first time
• Use Your Voice – Senedd Cymru 2021 Election Campaign highlights the power of using your voice, by registering and voting

In May, the people of Wales will have the opportunity to decide who will represent them in the Welsh Parliament. For the first time in Wales, 16- and 17-year-olds can vote and can take full advantage of their new voting rights by participating in the Senedd Election.

To raise awareness among young first-time voters, the Senedd is holding Vote 16 Week from 22 - 26 February. This is the start of its wider campaign encouraging everyone to Use Your Voice by celebrating the power of the vote. The campaign will emphasise that all voices count in the election, promoting the key date of registering to vote - 19 April - and explaining the process.

An advertising campaign featured on social media and other platforms will target the Use Your Voice message at young people and lead them to more information on the Senedd Election Hub website, which also includes resources and activities to learn more about the Senedd and its influence on Wales.

For Vote Week 16, a schedule of digital activities is available to schools, groups and individuals across Wales - from workshops and presentations to school assemblies. The aim is to educate young people about the voting process and give them the confidence to use their voice on issues that matters to them.

The week will culminate with a Mock Election which is an opportunity for young people to put their debating skills into practice. On the afternoon of Friday, 26 February, groups of young people will be challenged to form a party and put together a manifesto before presenting it to the audience in an attempt to win their votes. BBC Wales' Political Correspondent, Teleri Glyn Jones introduces the parties and quizzes them about their policies, and everyone can join in by watching and voting.

To emphasise the importance of the voice of young people, the Welsh Youth Parliament will also meet, for the last time in a joint session with the Senedd at the end of a two-year term. The meeting on Wednesday 24 February will be an opportunity to evaluate the contribution and work of the first Youth Parliament in representing the voice of young people in Wales at the heart of democracy. It is available to watch live on Senedd.tv

Llywydd of the Senedd, Elin Jones MS said;

“The 2021 Election will remain in the memory for many reasons as we continue to live with the devastating losses and damage caused by the pandemic. But we will also remember that 2021 was the year we empowered our 16- and 17-year-olds to use their voice and make a real contribution to their country's democratic process, to choose who will represent them in their Senedd.

“The Senedd Cymru campaign, and the focus of education and engagement activities, aims to build the confidence of Wales' youngest voters to participate in the democratic process now and for years to come, starting with registering and casting their first vote in May. It's important for them to know that their voice counts.”

Vote 16 Week Schedule

Every day, 22-26 February, a virtual event will be available for groups, classes or individuals to take part. It brings together all the sessions, resources, workshops and activities offered weekly by the Senedd’s education and engagement service. There is more information on the Election Hub on the Senedd website which also includes help for teachers, youth leaders and young people themselves.