Every year the Electoral Commission invites young people to celebrate democracy through a week of learning how democracy works and how they can get involved. This is called Welcome to Your Vote Week and this year’s theme is “Why Voting Matters.”  

We want to encourage our young members to think about why voting is important and the impact voting can have on our everyday lives.  

Our Speak Out champions have created a resource to help Rangers get involved with voting ahead of the Scottish General Election on 7 May 2026. There are 3 activities: 

• Everyday politics – thinking about how political decisions impact different parts of our everyday lives. 

• Mock election – learn what the electoral system is like in Scotland and cast a vote. 

• Race to register – Race to register to vote in your unit, can you register faster than it takes to complete one of our challenges? 

Rangers can complete these activities while working towards their Voting interest badge.  

Download the resource here.

Speak Out wants Rangers to be empowered with the knowledge and skills to confidently vote in this year’s election (if they are 16 and up). Their recommended trusted sources for more information are: 

• The Scottish Parliament  

• The Electoral Commission – resources for young people 

• Girlguiding website – support for what members can do ahead of the election 

• Shout Out UK – resources for young people 

We’d love to see lots of units taking part in our #GGSracetoregister by sharing what challenges Rangers completed while some register to vote, or how fast you registered to vote.  

Rangers could also send our template letter to their MSP sharing the Speak Out manifesto Scotland: for girls, by girls calling for actions over 5 themes to make Scotland a better place for girls.  

If you want to take this further in your unit, you can explore other activities like the Take Action skills builders, and interest badges like Protesting, Women’s Rights and My Say.