As a young Roma voter, here's why the council by-election matters to me
Paulina Gombarova, a young member of Romano Lav’s Community Catalyst programme, writes about the power of voting, why she is using her vote in this council by-election and why you should too.
Register to vote poster on display in Community Newsroom window.
By Paulina Gombarova | Photo by Iain McLellan
This is my call to young people and people in the Roma community to use their voices, by using their vote.
It is important to vote. Voting impacts the present and shapes the future. As a young person, I think young people should vote because other people have fought for our right to cast that vote, we need to use it.
Voting may sound boring to some, but deciding who makes the decisions on the issues you care about, is far from boring.
I’m voting in this local by-election as a young person because I believe in the power of my vote to bring about real change in our community. By voting, I can help elect council representatives who will prioritise issues that I see in the community.
It is also important for young Roma people to vote because there is often little effort from local authorities to engage with Roma communities and hear what they want.
An issue in the Southside that I see, is the state of our local parks. They are filled with pests and overall not well maintained. Many young Roma people hang out in these parks, including me, and most of them complain about the conditions.
What they don’t know is that they can help make a change by voting. Voting allows us to elect representatives who will listen to and prioritise our concerns, like working towards improving our parks.
Another issue that is faced by many young Roma people is that they don’t have a place to hang out, other than the parks. This lack of dedicated space for socialising and recreation forces them to spend time in areas that are often neglected and unsafe.
By voting, we can advocate for the creation of community centres and recreational facilities that offer a safe and welcoming environment for young people.
Ultimately, voting is not just a civic duty; it is a powerful tool for enacting change and making our voices heard. By coming together and casting our votes, we can create a more inclusive and just society that addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by the Roma community.
Let us seize this opportunity to make a difference and shape a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.
Voting in the Southside Central ward by-election
The vote will take place on the 20 March. Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm.