WIREDGOV

Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews is supporting a campaign encouraging younger people to register as voters.

Bite the Ballot, a not-for-profit, political party-neutral organisation has named February 5th as National Voter Registration Day, aimed at increasing participation of young people in elections. It focusses in particular on maximising the registration of young people to vote at the general election in May.

Bite the Ballot has teamed up with the National Union of Students (NUS), as students living away from home are at greatest risk of losing their right to vote.

Leighton Andrews said:

"It is a cause for concern that a change from Household to Individual registration of electors has hit young people hardest. Potentially, thousands are at risk of losing their vote unless urgent action is taken. This is particularly the case for students living away from home.

"We fully support the campaign by Bite the Ballot and NUS Wales aimed at increasing registration amongst young people. I have met with NUS Wales, and the Electoral Commission and will shortly be meeting with Bite the Ballot to discuss these matters.

"This is an important issue and we are looking at ways of improving the situation. We have written to every Electoral Registration Officer in Wales asking them where their biggest falls in registration are and what they are doing about it.
 
"We all have a duty to pursue this in the interests of democracy. Nobody who is eligible to vote should lose out. It is easy to register and we want to make people aware of just how easy it is. I applaud Bite the Ballot for their work in this area."

To register, visit the Electoral Commission website (external link).