Over 3000 young people join electoral register in 2021
This was following a campaign run by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Electoral Registration team, The Welsh Government, The Electoral Reform and the Electoral Commission.
By April 19, 3,239 young people aged 14-17 had registered for the first time in the Vale of Glamorgan, of which 1,969 were aged 16 and 17 and so eligible to vote in the Senedd election on 06 May.
The campaign was a result of the Electoral Reform changes which saw the voting age lowered from 18 to 16 for the Senedd and Local Government elections, and young people allowed to register from age 14.
As part of the campaign, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Electoral Registration team ran a prize draw ahead of the Senedd election. Any young people aged 14-17 who registered to vote before the deadline were entered to win one of five iPads. The winners were randomly selected last week and presented with their prizes.
They were; Lilwen Evans and Ella Bulmer of Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg, Mollie Coombes of Pencoedtre High School, Charlotte Mazloom of St Cyres High School and Benedict Griffin of Llandaff Cathedral School.
All pupils said that they all wanted to vote in the up and coming Senedd election and that the prize draw was a good incentive to encourage young people to register.
Councillor Kathryn McCaffer, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture attended the presentations. She said, “The turnout for young people’s registration this year was incredible. We’re pleased to see that so many young people are eager to get involved with democracy and use their vote.
“More needs to be done to both encourage and educate young people on their right, as well as what to expect on voting day. Some of the feedback we received was that young people aren’t sure what to do at a polling station, or what exactly they are voting for.
“I know that our Electoral Registration team are keen to visit schools before future elections, once Covid restrictions allow, to deliver presentations and to walk young people through the process.”
You can register to vote online, and the process takes just 5 minutes. You can also contact the team on 01446 729552 to request a form, or if you have your National Insurance number handy, can give your details over the telephone. Your national insurance number is not required if you are 14 or 15 and have not yet received it.