Registering to Vote

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 2:49 pm on 6 October 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 2:49, 6 October 2021

(Translated)

Thank you very much, Minister, as it is crucially important, isn't it? That's why we're here—we're discussing the future of these young people, and it was a huge disappointment, I'm sure, to most of us here today how few young people did vote: about half of 16 and 17-year-olds. Less than half of 16 to 17-year-olds registered to vote. Another problem is accessibility in voting. I remember speaking to a young 17-year-old after the polling stations had closed, and she said she didn't have an opportunity to vote. She said she went straight from school to work and didn't have an opportunity to vote, therefore. What discussions are you, as a Government, having with schools and colleges in order to demonstrate how important voting is, but also to make it more accessible for them to vote? Thank you.