Jo urges young voters to get registered

12.00.00am GMT Thu 4th Mar 2010

Jo Swinson MP is encouraging young people in East Dunbartonshire to make sure they are registered to vote, after news that over half of 17-24 year olds are not registered to vote.

New research by the Electoral Commission has found that 56% of 17-24 year olds in the UK are not registered to vote.

As many as 31% of ethnic minority voters and 79% of people who have moved house in the last year are also not registered. In the General Election in 2001, 3.5 million eligible voters were missing from the electoral roll.

Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

"It is very unfortunate that in so many elections, young people don't have get to have their say in how our community and our country is run because they are not registered to vote. There is still time to register before the upcoming General Election, but the deadline is 20th April so I would encourage people to register as soon as possible.

"If you are not sure whether you are on the electoral roll in East Dunbartonshire - either because you have moved or because you have not voted before - then you can call 0800 980 0471 to find out. You can also request a registration form, or you can download one by clicking on the link below. I would urge you to make sure that your voice is heard."

Related Links:

Download a registration form

Electoral Commission Report

Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute Valuation Joint Board