Make your voice be heard – go to vote!

Apr 17 2009 By Natalie Mullin

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TODAY marks the 40th anniversary of the voting age being dropped to 18.

The Electoral Commission has used the milestone date to issue a plea to ensure that young people are registered to vote – and that they use their vote when the time comes.

The voting age was reduced to 18 from 21 on April 17, 1969, when the Representation of the People Act received Royal Assent.

However, research by the Electoral Commission has shown that – 40 years on – 18 to 24-year-olds are less likely to take part in elections than ever before.

Young voters believe it because of a lack of education about politics and the voting process.

Diana Richardson, 21, is a student from Newsome and a young voter. She said: “Young people don’t care about politics and that is because they are probably not educated about politics.

“A lot of people know who their Prime Minister is, but not who their local councillor is.”

Other young voters are disillusioned by politics. Natalie Paterson, 21, is an insurance sales consultant working in Huddersfield and is a non-voter. She said: “I honestly don’t see the point of voting, nothing changes.

“Young people don’t vote because they don’t understand. Their vote doesn’t count.”

Nigel Chester, 20, an electronics technician and voter from Mirfield agreed. He added: “No matter what they say nothing happens, the Government doesn't listen to what young people say.”

Karen Quaintmere, head of electoral administration for the Electoral Commission, said young people often are not aware of the process involved in voting.

“It’s possible that they don’t realise that they need to register first in order to vote.”

Susan Hutson, electoral services manager for Kirklees Council, said work is underway to increase the presence of young people at the ballot box. She said: “We have a few campaigns to get young people voting.”

Her office is currently working closely with Kirklees education services to get young people registered for voting.