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1. Young people as voters

2. Young people as political representatives

Young people as voters

In Slovakia, citizens gain the right to vote at the age of 18 for all levels of elections, including:

• Local and regional elections
• National parliamentary elections
• Presidential elections
• European Parliament elections
• Referenda

There are no imminent plans to lower the voting age, although discussions have taken place. However, no formal legislative proposals or parliamentary negotiations are currently underway.

There are no special provisions in electoral law specifically targeting young voters. However, general provisions apply equally to all citizens, including voting from hospitals or during home treatment and voting while in prison.

Youth Voter Turnout

• In the 2020 national parliamentary elections, there were approximately 213,000 first-time voters aged 18–21.
• In the 2019 European Parliament elections, youth participation increased:
  • Ages 18–24: from 6% (2014) to 11%
  • Ages 25–34: increased to 25%
  • Overall turnout in Slovakia was 22.74%, the lowest among EU member states.

Additionally, mock elections have been organized in cooperation with regional youth councils and schools to promote civic education. In 2020, 173 schools participated, involving 60,000 students with a 57% turnout.

Young people as political representatives

Young people in Slovakia can:

• Join political parties from the age of 18, according to the Act on Political Movements and Political Parties.
• While there are no official youth wings mandated by law, most political parties have informal youth organizations, typically open to individuals aged 15–35.

Candidacy in Elections

• The minimum age to stand as a candidate at local, regional, national, and European levels is 18 years.
• Candidates must be permanent residents of the constituency in which they are running.
• There are no quotas or reserved seats for young people in representative bodies.
• No specific legal provisions exist to facilitate youth candidacy beyond general eligibility.

Youth Representation in Assemblies

• There is no official data on the average age or proportion of young people in the current National Council or other assemblies.
• No functions within representative assemblies are formally reserved for young people.