Why Young People Should Vote
Over the past couple of years we’ve seen some surprises in politics from the 2015 General Election, Brexit and of course, the 2016 Presidential Election…
For example, in the 2015 General Election, just 43% of 18–24-year-olds voted, compared with 78% of people aged 65 or over. That’s a massive 35% gap. If young people had turned out in a similar proportion, that would’ve been a massive 2 million extra votes.
But as young people, we do face a bit of a problem. Many of us feel dissatisfied and don’t trust the current political parties, so we don’t vote and it creates a cycle where groups with low turnouts tend to be of less interest to politicians who want to be elected.
But, if two million more 18–24-year-olds voted do we really think that issues like housing, low paid, insecure jobs and student fees would not immediately move up for all the parties?
With the uncertainty swirling around the country at the moment, your vote is more powerful than ever. In May, we have the Leeds City Council elections and you can have a massive impact on your city if you turn out to vote. With nearly 100,000 students living in Leeds, if we all voted we would be a force to be reckoned with. We all have problems with transport and housing whilst we’re are university, and with a loud enough voice, students can send that message to the council.
Can I vote twice — at home and at university?
Most importantly, you can register at home and in Leeds. If your home and university addresses are in two different local authority areas, you can vote in local elections in both areas.
However, even if you are registered in two areas — at home and at university — you can only vote in one at a general election.
Whilst we know that there is a local election around the corner, after the parliamentary votes this week, the uncertainty around Brexit has gone up a notch. Who knows, we could have a General Election, European Parliament elections or even a referendum round the corner. That’s why it’s important you get registered right now, so you don’t miss out on having your voice heard.
Next week, you’ll have another chance to have your voice heard on 23rd March. We are sending down coaches to London to the Put it to the People March, so you can have your say on the Brexit deal. You can book your place on the coach here.
Remember, voting is how we gained education, health, safer work and pensions. We didn’t always have them and we didn’t always have a voice. If you don’t use your vote, odd things can happen.
