Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds in Wales will be able to vote for the first time in May’s Local Elections – and in Pembrokeshire a week of activity has been taking place to raise awareness.

Although this age group could vote in the Senedd Elections in 2021, this will be their first chance to have their say in Local Government elections.

The aim of the week was to raise awareness of democracy, the need to register to vote in order to take part in the elections and the importance of voting on May 5 next year.

As part of the activity, members of the Elections Team in Pembrokeshire County Council worked with schools to engage with the age group about democracy, get them registered and explain how the voting process works.

This provided a great opportunity for the young adults to get involved and more importantly, get registered.

Additionally, the Elections Team launched a project – calling on our creative young people. The project is open to students at all of Pembrokeshire’s secondary schools and college, to create a film or animation on what democracy means to them and why it’s important. It will need to be delivered by end of January 2022 and each school will get £100 for entering a submission (Please note each school can only enter one submission).

Pembrokeshire County Council Chief Executive Will Bramble said: “This election is a significant event that requires a commitment to supporting young people’s democratic education.

“Having the opportunity to vote is really important, make sure you get registered so you can have your say – and I ask everyone who can vote to get registered so they can take their first steps into democracy.

“This is your opportunity to choose who represents you in the County Council and who will put your voice and views forward.”

To find out more about the creative project for schools check out the video: https://youtu.be/cHVXcytpa0Q

To vote – and take your first steps into democracy – you’ll need to register.

Registering is easy, all you have to do is visit the link here: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or for more information: First Time Voter