PRESS RELEASE
**for immediate use**

Youth Vote 2011
The Christchurch Youth Voice Will be Heard in the 2011 Election.

For those youth who are not of age, the General Election in November is likely to be a demonstration of how voiceless they are when it comes to national politics. This election is especially important for the youth of Christchurch because the government-elect will make the decisions that will either entice the youth to stay or drive them away.

The Otautahi Youth Council, a youth led advocacy group aiming to let the voices of Christchurch youth be heard by national and local governments, seeks to give everyone in Christchurch a vote in the upcoming election. This council has organised a voting website: www.youthvote2011.co.nz to give people of all ages a chance to decide who they think should run this country.

This campaign will provide every member of Christchurch a chance to vote for a party, electorate and voting system for the referendum. Although anyone can vote, there is specific interest in how those under 18 will vote. If it happens that their opinions are dissimilar to the results of the national election then this should impact policy decisions. Moreover, the voting website also asks why individuals voted the way they did to shed light on whether those not yet able to vote are politically aware.

The youth of Christchurch need a voice in the upcoming election and the Otautahi Youth Council’s website: www.youthvote2011.co.nz gives them one.

ENDS

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