School elections aim to spark young people's political interest, but do not reach everyone

At a school debate in Lund, 18-year-old Jason Torrisi Lundqvist sat in the front row checking the politicians' claims online. His verdict was blunt: “It is word against word and quite chaotic.”

Another student, Jakub, found the encounter “inspiring.” Julia Righetti, who studies on the technology program, said hearing politicians speak had given her a broader picture and made her more certain about how she would vote.

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It is word against word and quite chaotic.

The debate took place at Polhemskolan, one of Sweden's largest upper-secondary schools. The day before its school election, 800 graduating students attended a traditional debate featuring representatives from the youth wings of parties in parliament. Taxes and climate policy were among the topics discussed.

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Inspiring.

Nearly half a million first-time voters will be eligible to vote in a general election for the first time on Sept. 13. Before then, some will take part in a school election organized by the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society, known as MUCF. More than 1,700 lower- and upper-secondary schools across Sweden are participating this year, representing six in 10 schools and roughly 100 more than in 2022.

MUCF Director-General Magnus Jägerskog called the increase positive but said it was difficult to understand why every school was not taking part. He pointed to time shortages and the short period available for the exercise. Jägerskog said students who practice casting a ballot show greater interest in democracy and are more likely to vote in general elections.

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We know that interest in democracy and the likelihood that people will vote in general elections increase if they get to practice casting their vote.

The article also links the school elections to wider concerns about political engagement. Participation in party politics has declined over recent decades, and youth turnout fell for the first time in 20 years in the previous parliamentary election. A MUCF report found that only one in five young people believe they have substantial opportunities to make their views heard by decision-makers. Political science professor Niklas Bolin said lower engagement could make it harder to recruit future politicians, making contact between young people and politically active people important.

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In that way, it is good if we can tear down barriers between young people and politically active people.