UUP Supports New Campaign For Youth Voter Registration

The Ulster Unionist Party has expressed its support for a new campaign to drive youth voter registration through the post-16 curriculum.

Highlighting that the UUP supports reducing the voting age to 16, Education spokesperson, Robbie Butler, has welcomed the new Feminism in School campaign.

Mr Butler said: "I am always encouraged to see young people engaged in politics. They are the future of our country, and seeing their enthusiasm at a young age is encouraging.

"The Feminism in School campaign call for driving voter registration through the post-16 curriculum would be an additional way to engage young people in politics at a younger age. Registering to vote can seem like a hassle and easily missed, so this would be an ideal opportunity to get young people registered during school hours. Providing information and encouraging political awareness where students would participate as part of morning registration or as part of a Learning for Life and Work class.

"The Ulster Unionist Party supports votes at 16, providing the right changes are implemented to the education curriculum to include political education on how the voting system in Northern Ireland works. This amendment to the curriculum would move us in that direction and potentially positively impact youth voting rates."