Highland Council uses TikTok to engage with young voters
Issued on behalf of the Constituency and Regional Returning Officer
Many young people will be able to vote for the first time in the Scottish Parliamentary Election to be held in May.
Launched earlier this week, The Highland Council is using the social media channel TikTok, as an alternative way to raise awareness and engage with young voters by providing information to the over 16’s on how to take part in the election.
Chair of the Highland Youth Parliament, Innes Morgan, has been key in assisting the Council in the development of a series of short TikTok clips.
The TikTok clips are already attracting attention and the short clips have been viewed over 300 times. They are designed to help new voters know what to expect and how to cast their vote, so they feel confident in taking part in the upcoming election and know that their vote matters.
The Constituency and Regional Returning Officer Highland Council Chief Executive Donna Manson said: “We are aware of the ever-changing social media landscape and fully appreciate that young people use social media platforms such as TikTok. It is important to engage with as many age groups as possible, and in particular reach this younger audience who have the right to vote, in a way that resonates with them.”
The clips cover information on how to register, the different ways of voting, including in person at a polling station or applying for a postal vote in a fashionable format specifically aimed at catching the attention of our young people.
The deadline to register to vote is Monday 19 April (midnight) and to register for a postal vote Tuesday, 6 April 2021. To apply for a postal vote you must be registered to vote first.
The quickest and easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or alternatively, call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393 783 to request a paper form to be sent to you.
Full information for all voters is on The Highland Council’s website - www.highland.gov.uk/sp2021election