Executive Summary

For Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the minimum voting age is 15, and the youth electorate spans 15 up to 30 years old. Those 15–17 may vote only in SK elections; those 18–30 may vote in both the Barangay elections (as regular voters) and the SK elections (as youth voters), provided they are properly registered.

Legal Basis

1987 Philippine Constitution, Art. X, Sec. 4 and 9: empowers Congress to create local youth councils.
Republic Act (RA) No. 10742 (Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015), as amended and implemented by COMELEC rules: defines the SK electorate as the youth (15–30) and fixes the candidate age at 18–24.
Relevant COMELEC resolutions (various years) operationalize registration, precincting, and polling procedures for SK voters.

Who May Vote in SK Elections

Core Age Rule

Eligible age: 15 to 30 years old on Election Day.

Other General Qualifications

Citizenship: Filipino citizen.
Residency: Resident of the barangay where intending to vote for at least six (6) months immediately preceding Election Day.
Registration:
- Must be registered as an SK voter in the SK-specific list maintained by COMELEC.
- Youth aged 18–30 typically appear in two lists: the regular voters’ list (for national/local/Barangay voting) and the SK voters’ list (for SK).
- Youth aged 15–17 appear only in the SK list.
No disqualifications under election laws (e.g., sentence by final judgment for crimes involving disloyalty to the government or certain moral turpitude offenses, and legal findings of insanity/incompetence).

Practical Effects by Age Band

Age on Election Day	May vote for SK?	May vote for Barangay officials?	Registration Needed
15–17	Yes	No	SK list only
18–30	Yes	Yes	Regular list and SK list
31+	No	If otherwise qualified	Regular list (not SK)

Registration Details for SK Voters

When: COMELEC announces specific SK registration periods separate from, or concurrent with, regular voter registration.
Where: Office of the Election Officer (OEO) of the city/municipality where the barangay is located or satellite registration sites.
What to bring: Proof of age, identity, and barangay residency (e.g., birth certificate, school ID/records, government-issued ID).
First-time voters aged 15–17: enrolled only in the SK list; they are not regular voters until they turn 18 and register as such.

Tip: If you turned 18 after the last regular registration, you must apply for transfer/updating to move from SK-only status to both SK and regular voters’ lists (if registration is open).

Polling-Day Mechanics (SK Electorate)

Precinct assignment: SK voters use SK-designated precincts (often co-located with regular precincts but with separate lists and ballots).
Ballot: SK ballot lists candidates for SK chairperson and SK kagawad (councilors).
Identification: Present acceptable ID that matches the SK list entry; minors without government IDs may use school IDs or other COMELEC-accepted proof.
Provisional voting: Generally not available in the same way as for regular elections; eligibility hinges on being on the SK list for that precinct.

Disqualifications & Constraints (Voters)

Non-residents or those who failed the six-month residency requirement in the barangay.
Not registered in the correct barangay’s SK list.
Persons otherwise disqualified under the Omnibus Election Code and related statutes (e.g., by final judgment).

Distinguishing Voters from Candidates

Voters (electorate): 15–30 years old.
Candidates (SK Posts): 18–24 years old on Election Day, registered SK voters, and one-year barangay residency immediately preceding the election, among other eligibility rules.
A 15–17-year-old may vote but cannot run for SK office.

Change of Residence, Transfers, and Corrections

Inter-barangay moves: You must apply for transfer of your SK registration to the new barangay during an open registration period.
Clerical errors / name changes: File for correction of entries with the OEO; bring supporting documents (e.g., PSA records, school documents).
From SK-only to regular voter: Upon turning 18, apply for new/updated registration as a regular voter; you may remain on the SK list until you age out at 31 (subject to ongoing SK registration policies).

Common FAQs

1) I’m 17 on Election Day. Can I vote? Yes—for SK only—if registered in the SK list and you meet residency and other qualifications.

2) I’m 19 but I’m not on the SK list. Can I still vote in SK? No. You must be on the SK list to vote in SK. If registration is open, apply to be included.

3) I’m 29 and registered as a regular voter but never registered for SK. You can vote for Barangay officials but not SK unless you’re also registered in the SK list.

4) I turn 15 a week after Election Day. You’re not yet eligible. Eligibility is based on age on Election Day.

5) I turn 31 a day before Election Day. You’re no longer part of the SK electorate and cannot vote in SK.

Offenses Related to SK Voting

Vote-buying/selling, multiple registration, impersonation, and tampering with voter lists are criminal offenses under election laws and subject to penalties (fines, imprisonment, and disqualification).

Key Takeaways

The SK voting age starts at 15.
The SK electorate is 15–30 years old.
15–17: SK-only voters.
18–30: Vote in both SK and Barangay (if in both lists).
Registration and residency are crucial; being on the SK list for your barangay is the practical gateway to voting in SK elections.