Top 5 reasons Student’s don’t vote
Lack of Information
Unless you’re engaged with the news, have an interest in politics or have an active interest in a student’s union you’re unlikely to know a lot about political process or candidates. Those running in elections may canvas but this usually includes buzzwords rather than content to persuade you to vote.
Don’t see the point
The first past the post voting system takes a beating for the reason. Many people believe that it results in the vote not making a different, particularly in party strongholds such as the North East for Labour and South East for the Conservatives.
On the otherhand in student elections, many simply feel those elected don’t or can’t make any difference.
Registered Elsewhere
Though as a student it is sometimes possible to be registered at home and at your university, people still fall foul of only being registered in one place. Registered at home but being at university during elections tends to mean you’re in the wrong place and can’t vote. Maybe more need to utilise a postal vote.
Not Registered at all
Another issue for those who intend to vote at university. Following a change in legislation which no longer allowed universities to act as a head of household and register first year students. Estimates suggest that 800,000 people dropped off the electoral roll following the changes. Students in university towns are most at risk.
Do not feel represented by those standing
A bunch of mainly white, middle class men educated at Oxbridge earning a great wage. Often people find it impossible to find a connection with their politician. The likes of the expenses scandal particularly cause a disillusionment with politicians for a group of people who often fall into their overdraft.
That, or alternatively a Russel Brand type who disagrees with the system as a whole and believe that voting is simply a tacit state of compliance.
Top 5 Reasons Students Vote
Democracy
‘A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state’. Many place a significant emphasis on that the ‘whole population’ should be involved in elections.
We tend to see higher turnouts in referenda too, what could be seen as the purest form of democracy. For example the referendum on Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom reached a turnout of 84.5%. A record for the UK since universal suffrage.
To make a difference
Not everyone can be directly involved in changing the world and elections offer a way to impact direction of governance, placing power in the hands of representatives we believe can make the biggest difference.
In our surveys it was clear the importance of an election dictates whether people vote. One person surveyed said of local elections “I don’t feel they have as much impact on my life… I have no idea who my local councillors are or what they actually do”. Conversely on the EU referendum comments repeatedly referred to the fact it had “national and international significance”. This is demonstrated as 84% of those who hadn’t voted in local elections intended to vote in the EU referendum.
A friend is running
The constant appeals for votes, Facebook walls filled with videos, hashtags, terrible slogans and buzzwords. Campuses filled with posters, chalk, megaphones and bedsheets. Full time officer elections come to the fore once a year as publicised popularity contests. As much as candidates ask for your vote, their campaign teams better known as friends are just as prominent.
To show party support
Despite political apathy with a large proportion of student, political party societies are amongst the most successful in student’s unions. Even in areas where election results are mere formalities students vote for parties they align with. This is perhaps most notable with the likes of the Green Party and Trade Union and Socialist Coalition, who particularly encourage students to stand for councillor.
People fought for my right to vote
Emmeline Pankhurst is perhaps the figure best known in the fight for universal suffrage in the United Kingdom. Well known for militant tactics Pankhurst was often arrested, went on hunger-strike and was force fed before female suffrage occurred in 1918 before full suffrage granted in 1928.
VOTE OR NOT
The interview of the local university students.
One of our team mates, Ritwik, had his voting experience in Jesmond.