Getting Out to Vote: Youth and The 2019 Local Elections

Come along to the first of our local election events, by young people for young people, speaking on the major issues facing Hamilton and the wider Waikato region.

This event aligns with a nationwide move to increase the level of participation by young voters in the local body elections taking place this October. Some of this may be seen as a sense of empowerment; a flow-on effect of the School Strike 4 Climate, but this movement is more about the 20-somethings rather than secondary school students.

A sense of urgency among this group, and a determination to reverse voter turnout rates that show young people as among those least likely to vote, has taken hold both nationally and in Hamilton.

Chloe Swarbrick, who stood as an Auckland mayoral candidate in 2016 and was subsequently elected to parliament as a Green MP, has shown that it is possible to make a difference. For this event, Chloe will headline a panel of young leaders from our community in a discussion of the key issues facing the city. Other key speakers include:

- Kelli Pike from Politics in the Tron
- Hannah Huggan from the School Strike 4 Climate
- Nathan Rahui, President of the Waikato Students Union

They will be each be identifying the issues that should be a political priority in the upcoming local government elections.

Members of the public are invited to attend this free event being held at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts at the University of Waikato on Tuesday, 13 August, entitled 'Getting Out to Vote : Youth and the 2019 Local Elections.' Free parking is available on campus via Gate 2B, Knighton Road, Hamilton.

A cash bar will be available from 5.30pm, with doors opening at 6pm.

Keen to attend? Please register your attendance by visiting the website and clicking on the register here link. Remember to bring your eticket with you on the night.