infonews.co.nz
INDEX
COUNCIL

Nelson Youth to Support high turnout at Local Body Elections

Monday 9 August 2010, 8:20AM

By Nelson City Council

287 views

NELSON

The Nelson Youth Council is launching its first ever campaign aimed at getting young people enrolled to vote.

Called ‘Get Amongst It-Enrol to Vote’, the campaign has been initiated by young people on the Youth Council, after their trip to the National Youth in Local Government Conference, where discussions were held on how to get young people involved in this year’s elections.

Mark Tregurtha, Manager Strategy Planning and Administration says it’s great the city’s young people want to take the initiative with the enrolment and voting process. “The number of youth voting in previous elections has been low, but participating in the democratic process is one of the most important things that all residents can do” he says.

Over the past few months Youth Councillors and Nelson City Council staff have been working on the campaign which will see a huge push in youth involvement in the elections, including:

- Posters, stickers, balloons, wallet cards and pens promoting enrolling for this years elections and other generic information

- A ‘Candidate Question Time’ Forum for young people to challenge potential mayoral candidates on youth issues

- A survey for all council candidates quizzing them on youth issues

- Encouraging local schools to get involved with Kids Voting

- And much more!

Nelson Youth Council Nayland College representative Anna Parfitt says the campaign is targeting all young people, eligible to vote or not - all young people have the opportunity to influence who runs our city.