Young people from across Rotherham have been taking to the polls to cast their vote in the bi-annual UK Youth Parliament elections.
More than 5,000 young people are expected to vote at local schools and youth organisations before polls close on 26 February. They will elect two local candidates to represent their views at the national UK Youth Parliament for the next two years.
A total of twelve candidates are standing for the positions this year.
No names appear on the ballot paper, but they do include a series of pledges from each candidate and three words to describe them. The names of candidates aren’t included, so that young people are encouraged to vote for the young person they think can best represent their views, rather than just because it’s someone they know.
The successful candidates will work alongside Rotherham’s Youth Cabinet in ensuring the voices of young people influence decisions made within the borough, championing issues like climate change, mental health and knife crime.
They will also take part in annual UK Youth Parliament debates held on the famous green benches of the House of Commons.
Cllr Gordon Watson, Deputy Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “It’s heartening to see so many local young people taking part in the democratic process by either voting and/or standing for election. The MYPs make sure the voices of Rotherham’s young people are heard at a local and national level - doing a great job in holding the Council and other public service providers to account.
“I hope that engaging with democracy and taking an interest in issues that affect their lives will become a habit for our young people and something they will continue to do for the rest of their lives.”
The elections are being organised by the Participation, Voice and Influence Team within Rotherham Council’s Early Help for Children and Families (part of Children and Young Peoples Services), in conjunction with the Council’s Electoral Services department.
The elections are being organised by the Participation, Voice and Influence Team within Rotherham Council’s Early Help for Children and Families (part of Children and Young Peoples Services), in conjunction with the Council’s Electoral Services department.
The final count of the vote will take place at Bailey House on Thursday 27 February. The results will be declared at 5pm in the Rotherham Town Hall Chamber, by the Returning Officer, David McWilliams – the Council’s Assistant Director for Early Help and Family Engagement.
Successful candidates will begin their role on 1st March 2020 and will be involved in national campaigns selected through the “Make Your Mark” strategy, which this year are campaigning on protecting the environment, tackling hate crime, ending knife crime, mental health and a curriculum for life.