Context
In May 2021 we ran Wales’ first ever national parallel election for young people aged 11-15.
Young people voted for the real candidates in their constituencies and were able to see how their votes compared to real-life.
Over 10,000 votes were cast by young people aged 11-15 from secondary schools and youth settings across Wales. 60% who completed a follow-up survey said that taking part made them more likely to vote in the future.
Local Elections 2022
Building on last year’s success, we have a very similar opportunity for schools and youth clubs, focusing this time on the Local Elections in May 2022.
Young people will:
- learn more about what their county council does and how its decisions affect them.
- have the opportunity to research their local candidates and to vote for a party, or an independent candidate.
We’ll then publish results so that young people can see how their votes compare to the real local election results.
Our offer will clearly align to the new curriculum for Wales and will include:
- Simple activities to teach children more about their local council, their electoral ward, and the significance of their vote
- Symbols-supported learning materials for young people with additional learning needs
- Signposting to impartial information to help them decide who to vote for
- Easy-to-access online voting
Timeline
- Sign-up is open now. By signing up, schools and youth clubs will make sure that they hear directly from us when resources are published
- Our resources will be ready and published on our website by Christmas, so that schools and youth clubs can start using them in the new year
- Online voting will be open between May 3-5
- We’ll publish results after polls have closed in the official elections
11-16 settings
If you’re a teacher in an 11-16 setting, including secondary schools, special schools, and PRUs, simply sign up using your email address.
By signing up, we’ll have your details so that we can send you:
- links to lesson plans when they’re published
- a link to your e-ballot in May
Not in an 11-16 setting?
If you work in a different setting, like a primary school, or a youth club, and you’d still like to take part in Project Vote, please get in touch with us using this online form.
Home educated?
If you are a home educator, or you are a young person who is home educated who wants to take part, please get in touch with us.
3-5 May - Voting
All schools and youth clubs signed up will receive an electronic ballot paper on 3 May, which can then be sent to learners to complete on any device, anywhere.
This will remain open until 5 May.