Young voters want schools to educate more about voting

This weekend’s state election will mark the first time many young people cast their vote.

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This weekend’s state election will mark the first time many young people cast their vote.

First-time voters Joshua Rickwood, 18, Lily Whitfield, 19 and Haylea Shears, 19, will be among the thousands of young people at the ballot box.

The impending election has meant the three teenagers, all trainees at Campbelltown Council, have had to learn quickly about the candidates vying for their votes in Campbelltown.

Joshua Rickwood, Haylea Shears and Lily Whitfield will vote for the first time this weekend. Picture: Robert Pozo

“You really have to do your research to vote properly, everyone’s opinion is different,” Haylea said.

While the trio have done their own research into who to vote for, they initially found themselves perplexed by the political process.

They all agree that schools should play more of a role in educating young people about the election process.

“I only enrolled two weeks ago because my Grandpa was telling me,” Haylea said

Picture: Robert Pozo

Lily said there was no education at school about voting,

“I understand it can get very political talking about it but it would be nice to have a brief education because you get out of school and you don’t have any idea about it,” she said.

Joshua said the limit to many students’ experiences with the political system prior to leaving school was excursions to Parliament House in primary school.