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| Scouts urge young people to vote | Scouts urge young people to vote |
| (1 day later) | |
| The Scout Association has launched a campaign to encourage young people to vote, amid fears that over half may not be on the electoral roll. | The Scout Association has launched a campaign to encourage young people to vote, amid fears that over half may not be on the electoral roll. |
| This year around 10,000 scouts will be old enough to vote for the first time in a general election. | This year around 10,000 scouts will be old enough to vote for the first time in a general election. |
| The association has set up a website to encourage them and others to do so. | The association has set up a website to encourage them and others to do so. |
| Earlier this month, the Electoral Commission found that 56% of those aged between 17 and 24 in eight selected areas were not registered to vote. | Earlier this month, the Electoral Commission found that 56% of those aged between 17 and 24 in eight selected areas were not registered to vote. |
| The Scout Association's Active Citizen website explains why politics matters to young people, alongside advice on registering and volunteering and a includes a forum for politicians to take part in online discussions with young voters. | The Scout Association's Active Citizen website explains why politics matters to young people, alongside advice on registering and volunteering and a includes a forum for politicians to take part in online discussions with young voters. |
| The association is also sending information by post to 50,000 members in an attempt to boost turnout. | The association is also sending information by post to 50,000 members in an attempt to boost turnout. |
| 'Engage in democracy' | 'Engage in democracy' |
| Wayne Bulpitt, The Scout Association's UK chief commissioner said: "In scouting we believe it is extremely important for young people to engage in democracy. Every vote counts. | Wayne Bulpitt, The Scout Association's UK chief commissioner said: "In scouting we believe it is extremely important for young people to engage in democracy. Every vote counts. |
| "We not only want our young members to see why they should vote but how politics impacts on the causes and concerns that they have." | "We not only want our young members to see why they should vote but how politics impacts on the causes and concerns that they have." |
| The campaign's launch marks the 40th anniversary of the first Parliamentary election - a by-election in Bridgwater, Somerset - after the voting age had been lowered from 21 to 18, | The campaign's launch marks the 40th anniversary of the first Parliamentary election - a by-election in Bridgwater, Somerset - after the voting age had been lowered from 21 to 18, |
| To mark the occasion, 30 young people are being brought together in Nottingham with their local candidates in an event co-hosted by Oxfam and the Hansard Society. | To mark the occasion, 30 young people are being brought together in Nottingham with their local candidates in an event co-hosted by Oxfam and the Hansard Society. |
| People must be on the local electoral roll if they want to vote in the upcoming general election, widely expected to be held on 6 May. | People must be on the local electoral roll if they want to vote in the upcoming general election, widely expected to be held on 6 May. |
| They can register to vote from the age of 16, although they will not be able to actually vote until they are 18. | They can register to vote from the age of 16, although they will not be able to actually vote until they are 18. |