Welcome to Your Vote Week 2026 took place in March
Together with over 60 delivery partners, we estimate that Welcome to Your Vote Week engaged over 700,000 young people and supported over 30,000 educators and stakeholders.
Members of our youth voice network helped to set the theme of ‘Why Voting Matters’. We supported young people to learn how their vote and their voice can have an impact on their lives and communities.
How people got involved in 2026
Schools, youth groups, local authorities and thousands of young people across the UK got creative with how they engaged with the week. From registration drives to peer-led sessions, young people took part in all sorts of opportunities to learn more about voting and democracy.
We saw:
700,000 young people engaged*
30,000 educators and stakeholders supported to deliver democratic education*
60 delivery partners support the week
440 organisations directly signed up to take part
1.3 million digital impressions
*Estimates are based on survey responses, partner feedback, and modelling of school engagement. Figures represent overall reach and may include varying levels of engagement.
After taking part in the week**:
83% of young people agreed they are more likely to register to vote
78% of young people said they understand more about why voting matters
100% of educators said the week increased their young people’s knowledge of democracy
86% of educators said their young people’s confidence to engage in democracy had increased
**Percentage of survey respondents
Case studies
Our young people took part in a mock election with peers as candidates with manifestos, relating to activities or planning within the youth group. Our young people took part in debate and discussion regarding the mock election as well as democracy and general elections. The young people reported that they learned about processes of elections and changes in voting/registration age.
Youth practitioner on taking part in Welcome to Your Vote Week 2026
We used the primary lesson material to discuss and better understand the roles of citizens, MPs, Parliament and government. Volunteers practiced presenting a speech to parliament and we had a Q and A about the photo of the House of Commons.
Primary school teacher on taking part in Welcome to Your Vote Week 2026
In England
The Democracy Classroom Strategy Day brought together 63 youth and education organisations. At the event, members of our youth voice network for England chaired a panel with senior Electoral Commission staff to discuss the future of democracy.
Our partner, Shout Out UK, ran their Dismiss campaign across England, which reached over 1 million young people across the country.
In Wales
A member of our youth voice network for Wales ran their own elections fair at Coleg Gwent. Attendees spoke with candidates and representatives from Political Parties and 300 young people registered to vote.
45 Sixth Form students joined MSs at the Senedd to ask the MSs questions about the issues which are important to them.
In Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Youth Forum hosted two events about ‘Why Voting Matters’ in Derry/Londonderry and Belfast which welcomed more than 180 young people and educators.
More than 1140 primary school pupils in Northern Ireland joined a live lesson about voting and having a voice, hosted by Just2easy
In Scotland
Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament hosted hustings for 70 young people to hear from MSP candidates.
Our youth voice network in Scotland created social media content about May’s elections and celebrated the week with a visit to Scottish Parliament.
