Mock elections get young womens’ vote

In preparation for the upcoming elections, girls and women at YWCA Northampton will be experiencing democracy firsthand in their own version of an election on 3^rd June.

The women, many of whom are young mums accessing YWCA’s services, will choose a political party and create their manifesto showing how they would spend the council’s money if they won the election. The mini campaign, lasting for two hours, will culminate in a ballot vote when the winning political party will be announced.

The event aims to raise awareness of the importance of local elections and get the young women interested in how voting works.

Kathryn White, centre manager at YWCA said: “Creating their party’s political manifesto and debating which issues are important to them is a great means for the young women to see politics as a real and essential part of daily life, rather than some far-away concept. This mock election gives them the chance to discuss what needs to change in their community and shows the importance of voting.”

The support workers at YWCA used Y Vote Mock Elections materials developed by the Hansard Society, The Electoral Commission and the Department of Education and Skills.