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X marks the spot in South Gloucestershire’s register to vote drive

This news article was published more than a year ago. Some of the information may no longer be accurate.

Published: 29/02/2016


Voters in South Gloucestershire are being asked to do their bit and get involved with the national #RegAFriend campaign aimed at getting young people to register to vote.

The campaign being run by the Electoral Commission in partnership with the National Union of Students (NUS) is asking young people to encourage their friends to register to vote by sharing photos of their ‘voter cross’ and using the hashtag #RegAFriend.

Young people are often one of the lowest represented groups on the electoral register, with only 76 per cent of 18 to 19 year olds and 70 per cent of 20 to 24 year olds registered to vote nationally. This compares to 95 per cent of those aged 65 and above.

Given that young people are more likely to use online tools on a daily basis, there has never been a more ideal time with online registration fast becoming a popular way of getting onto the register. Registration is simple, just visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to fill in the online registration form via desktop, mobile or tablet.

The #RegAFriend campaign will run until 18 March. Anyone aged 16 and above can register but only those aged 18 and above at the time of the upcoming Police and Crime Commission election (5 May) and EU Referendum (23 June) can vote.

John McCormack, Head of Legal, Governance and Democratic Services at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Voting is an important democratic right that gives you a chance to have your say, as long as you have registered. This includes South Gloucestershire’s young people. If you have registered to vote, please show your support and share the message with your friends and family, so they can make their mark on polling day.”

The upcoming Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commission election in May, and the EU Referendum in June will give the residents of South Gloucestershire a chance to have a democratic say on local and national issues which affect them. More information on the Police and Crime Commissioner elections is available online at www.avonpccelection2016.org.uk


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