Young voters encouraged to take part

Today is only the second time voters from the age of 16 have been eligible to take part in an election in the Isle of Man.

The minimum age was lowered from 18 in time for the House of Keys election in November 2006, but this is the first time the new rules have applied to local authorities.

Voters from the age of 16 are being strongly encouraged to get out and vote, and the Department of Education has produced a new leaflet, which has been sent out via the secondary schools to pupils in years eleven to thirteen.

Spokesman Martin Barrow says hundreds of young people can vote, and it's important they know the system works (audio file attached):

(Image: The front of the leaflet, with a map of the Isle of Man divided into the 24 local authority areas).