Bērnu un jauniešu vēlēšanas

Simultaneously with the 15th Saeima elections on October 3, specially created votes for children and youth will also take place in Kuldīga and Skrunda polling stations, united by the public participation promotion idea “Demokrātija sākas ģimenē”.

To involve the younger generation in the election process, special ballot boxes will be placed in the polling stations of Kuldīga municipality cities, where both preschool students and grades 1–12 students will be able to express their views on various issues, thereby practically getting acquainted with democratic processes.

Children and youth will have the opportunity to vote on topics relevant to them:

preschool children (5 and 6 years old), as well as grades 1–3 students will choose the flower color for Kuldīga city plantings;

grades 4–12 students will choose in the vote what event for youth they would like to experience in Kuldīga municipality in 2027.

Polling stations where children and youth will vote:

546 Kuldīgas Centra vidusskola Mucenieku iela 6, Kuldīga,

547 V. Plūdoņa Kuldīgas vidusskola Piltenes iela 25, Kuldīga

548 I Zeberiņa Kuldīgas pamatskola Jelgavas iela 62, Kuldīga.

549 LU Kuldīgas filiāle Kalna iela 19, Kuldīga,

550 Skrundas Kultūras nams Lielā iela 1A, Skrunda.

Polling stations will be open from 8.00–20.00.

Project motto – “Labākā doma pasaulē”

The initiative “Demokrātija sākas ģimenē” will provide children and youth with the opportunity to vote on city improvement issues, as well as entertainment and recreation opportunities for youth in Kuldīga municipality, which are planned to be implemented in 2026.–2027. The voting results will be handed over to the responsible administrations so that the initiatives can be implemented in life in accordance with the vision of the younger generation.

Children and youth will receive voting slips together with a special invitation to the elections in their educational institutions so that they can carefully review them and cast their vote on October 3 at one of Kuldīga or Skrunda polling stations, thereby experiencing what it means to express their opinion and participate.

The goal of the initiative “Demokrātija sākas ģimenē” is to invite the whole family to go vote — including children and youth who have not yet reached voting age. Thus, youth will gain practical experience in the election process and realize how important their voice is. In the long run, this would promote voter turnout, providing practical experience in democratic processes and building a connection with their city and country.

This year, elections for children and youth will take place in Kuldīga municipality, as well as Liepāja state city, Cēsis and Bauska municipalities. In cooperation with municipalities, the initiative is implemented by the co-author of the project “Demokrātija sākas ģimenē”, designer Beatrise Lasmane, designer and communication specialist Anna Miezīte and project artist Eila Kalve.

The musical messenger of the project is the group Carnival Youth with the song “Labākā doma pasaulē”, created in cooperation with Evija Vēbere. It becomes the musical symbol of the project, reminding of positive thoughts, being together and the ability to build a better future with good thoughts.

The team of “Demokrātija sākas ģimenē” reminds that democracy is not just election day. It starts with conversations in the family, listening to others and respecting different opinions. In Kuldīga municipality, this idea continues to develop, involving children and youth as active creators of their community.