Highland Council uses TikTok to engage with young first time voters and raise awareness on how to take part in the Scottish Parliamentary Election to be held in May
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Many young people will be able to vote for the first time in the Scottish Parliamentary Election to be held in May.
Highland Council is using the social media channel TikTok as an alternative way to raise awareness and engage with young voters by providing information on how to take part in the election.
Innes Morgan, the chairman of the Highland Youth Parliament, has been key in helping the council in the development of a series of short TikTok clips.
The TikTok clips are already attracting attention and have been viewed more than 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.
Donna Manson, the constituency and regional returning officer and Highland Council chief executive, 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 young people here.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 19, and to register for a postal vote Tuesday, April 6. To apply for a postal vote you must be registered to vote first.
The quickest and easiest way to register is online here or, alternatively, call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 to request a paper form to be sent to you.
Full information for all voters is on the council’s website.
