This news post is now out of date – you can find the latest update on our election process on our blog.
We are aware of an issue with votes cast for this year’s Scottish Youth Parliament election using a mobile phone on our voting.young.scot website. Votes cast using a desktop computer or a laptop are not affected.
Due to a technical issue, votes cast using a mobile phone were not being recorded. Votes made using a desktop computer or a laptop are not affected.
All 12 to 25 year olds across Scotland are still eligible to vote using their Young Scot National Entitlement Card. If you previously voted on a mobile device, you can cast your vote again from a desktop computer or laptop – Young Scot’s digital voting platform will recognise your original vote has not been counted and you will be able to vote as normal.
You can find out more details and some FAQs covering many of the key questions young people may have on the Young Scot website.
To find out about candidates in your area and place your vote, please visit SYP’s elections site:
The Chief Executives of SYP and Young Scot released a joint statement on the situation:
Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive, Young Scot, said:
“Young Scot is the proud partner of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) and over many years we have collaborated and used our voting website to deliver the vote for SYP elections.
“A week into the 2023 election, we were informed by our digital supplier that votes cast using a mobile phone were not being recorded. Votes made using a desktop computer or a laptop are not affected.
“In response, we are now encouraging all young people who’ve already cast their vote using a mobile phone to re-cast their vote using a desktop computer or laptop.
“I would like to thank SYP and Local Authority partners, who’ve been working proactively with us to minimise the disruption. Most importantly, I want to apologise to MSYP candidates and young voters for any disruption caused.
“Young Scot is dedicated to ensuring that young people can exercise their right to vote in SYP elections.”
Jamie Dunlop, Chief Executive, Scottish Youth Parliament, said:
“SYP has been made aware by Young Scot of a technical issue on its voting platform that means SYP Election votes cast on a mobile phone were not being recorded. SYP is working closely with Young Scot to investigate how this has happened and working with our Local Authority partners to limit the impact on candidates and young people.
“We are encouraging all young people who have voted using a mobile phone to re-cast their voice using a desktop computer or laptop. I would encourage any young people in Scotland to use their vote and have their say.”
