Young people want elections over a week and option to vote online, MP says

03 May 2023 , 15:18

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One in three young people are not registered to vote, according to the Electoral Commission's most recent research (Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)

Young people want elections extended over a week instead of a single day and the option to vote online to make them more accessible, a Labour MP has said.

Kim Leadbeater criticised the Government for not doing enough to engage youngsters in politics ahead of tomorrow's local elections.

Writing for the Mirror, she said the introduction of Voter ID was “extremely worrying” as it risked being an extra barrier for young people in turning up to polling stations.

The MP for Batley and Spen, who took part in a workshop with young voters, said: “They put forward several practical ideas including e-voting and more accessible polling stations located in schools, colleges and universities, extending elections over a week rather than a single day, and the automatic issuing of voter ID at 16.”

One in three young people are not registered to vote, according to the Electoral Commission.

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Kim Leadbeater said young people suggested having polling stations located in schools, colleges and universities

Its research shows only 74% of those aged 25-34 are correctly registered, falling to 68% among those aged 20-24 and 66% for those aged 18-19.

Registration rates are significantly higher for those aged 65 and over, at 94%.

Ms Leadbeater warned it was the wrong time to be introducing new rules forcing people to have a valid form of ID in order to vote.

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“At a time when the public continues to lose faith in our democratic system and more and more young people say they feel politics doesn’t relate to their lives, the introduction of compulsory ID for the upcoming local elections is extremely worrying,” she said.

“Research supports my view that the more complex the voting process, the less likely younger voters, especially first-time voters, will make it to the ballot box.”

An estimated 2.1million people don’t have a form of valid ID to vote at polling stations - and just 85,000 Brits applied for a free ID certificate.

Campaigners warn that passports and driving licences - which will be accepted as forms of ID at polling stations - are expensive options with young people and those from low income families unlikely to be able to afford one.

Ms Leadbeater added: “The sad truth is that the introduction of Voter ID reflects a wider failure by the current UK government to encourage and support our young citizens to learn about and get involved in civic life.

“The demand that everyone registers to vote individually impacts voters aged 18-25 disproportionately, particularly those in rented accommodation.

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“And government data indicate that under-25s applied for Voter Authority Certificates (VACs) at a considerably lower rate than older voters, with the exception of those over-75, with just over 5,000 applying for the new voting document.

“Younger voters could be forgiven for concluding that they are being actively discouraged from participating in elections and for asking why that might be. It seems inevitable that disparities in turnout between the youngest and oldest voters will further increase.”

Last month, the Daily Mirror launched its Get ID, Get a Vote campaign to raise awareness that the rules have changed.

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Sophie Huskisson