With the date of the next general election fast approaching, the vote on the 7th May 2015 has become a popular subject around campus. While a lot of us seem to be talking about it, fewer seem to be taking action: according to the British Election Study, only 51.2% of 18-24 year olds voted in the 2010 general election. In comparison to the national turnout of 66%, this number seems incredibly low. These disappointing numbers are often attributed to high levels of voter apathy among young people. Many of us feel disinterested, disengaged and, frankly, rather confused about the political process. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a handy voting guide for all you collegiettes to boost your understanding and enthusiasm about voting in this year’s election!
1. Get REGISTERED.
In order to make sure you can vote on the day, it’s extremely important to register to vote prior to arriving at your voting station. The registration deadline is Monday 20th April – make sure you’ve registered before this date!
Don’t worry! Registration is easy-peasy. It takes less than 5 minutes and can be done online HERE or by searching “register to vote” on your search engine.
You can also register by post by printing one of THESE FORMS and sending it to your local Electoral Registration Office.
Even if you think you’re registered, it’s a good idea to check anyway! Your local council should be able to tell you very quickly whether you are registered or not – you can find contact details for your local council HERE.
2. Get EDUCATED.
Learning about the parties involved in the general election and their political stances on particular subjects can be really interesting – by doing your research and taking time to understand policies, you’ll be a lot more likely to find a party which you feel best represents your interests. A great place to start is www.may2015.com – this website gives regular updates on news about political leaders and poll findings in the lead up to the election. There are loads more websites with valuable information about the election, most of which can be found with a simple web search.
3. Get ENGAGED.
Above all, staying interested and involved in the political system will allow you to maintain your knowledge about the debate as well as ensure that your political choices reflect your hopes and interests for the country you live in. Encouraging others to take part in the vote, learn and talk about the parties involved is a great way to keep up-to-date on any changes in the process.
4. Get EMPOWERED.
Exercising your right to vote and knowing you have influenced the way your country will be run for the next 5 years is a great feeling! To feel empowered, make sure you get down to your polling station (which will be specified on the poll card sent to you prior to voting day) and take the opportunity to make a difference on the 7th May this year! Get voting!