It's just seven weeks since Theresa May called a surprise general election.

Until then most people thought the next vote would not be until 2020, because they normally take place every five years.

The snap election means thousands of teenagers are getting their first vote much sooner than expected.

And for some, it's a strange kind of birthday present. Meet four people who turn 18 on election day.

'I'm finally getting to do something rather than just talk'

"Before [now] myself and my friends have only ever been able to discuss it," says Niamh Dunne, from Darlington.

"Now, we are actually getting to do something about it."

Niamh got interested in politics through her A-level sociology.

Education is a big issue for her in this election - in particular the cost of university, which she hopes to start in September.

To be able to vote on my 18th birthday is going to be an exciting process for me Niamh Dunne

"The NHS and the continuation of free healthcare are also important," she tells Newsbeat.

"To be able to vote sooner than I thought and on my 18th birthday is going to be an exciting process for me."

'I feel unprepared for the vote'

"I closely follow the election story," says Oliver Bowling from Peterborough.

He says that the election "has been the only consistent topic of conversation" among his friends for the last few weeks.

Despite this, Oliver's worried that the election has come too early for him.

"Due to the snap nature of the election I feel unprepared and uneducated for the vote," he says.

But Oliver is "happy about being given the chance to have my say in the country's future".

'I can already vote in some elections'

This won't be the first time Charlie Wilson, from Brechin in north east Scotland, will be voting.

She was able to vote in the local elections in May because the minimum age for local elections in Scotland is 16.

But this will be the first time Charlie's able to vote in a general election, where you still have to be 18 across the UK.

"I feel rather privileged to be able to vote on my birthday, but also a little nervous," she says.

Does having the vote at a younger age mean more young people in Scotland are politically engaged?

"Some of me and my friends at college are talking about the election and which way it could go - but I'm not too informed about the whole general election."

For Charlie, the biggest issues in this election are NHS funding and Brexit - she wants to make sure the Brexit deal works for the whole of the UK, rather than just England.

'It's important for the young generation to get a say'

"I'm over the moon that I am able to vote on my birthday as I wasn't expecting to until I was 20," says Cam Walker from Worcestershire.

Even though he wasn't expecting the election, Cam says he and his friends are still eager to make a change with their vote.

"All of my friends are very into politics at the moment. Maybe because this is the first time most of them are able to vote.

"I feel like it is important for the younger generation to get a say in the way the country is run as it affects our future, most likely more than it affects the older generations."

However, Cam still thinks social care - which mainly affects the older generation - is an important issue, as well as education and Brexit.

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