MP urges young people to 'Bite the Ballot'
South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on teachers, bosses and youth leaders to help empower a generation of young people and register them to vote ahead of the upcoming local elections on 22 May 2014.
Tim has urged local schools, businesses and youth organisations to take part in the UK's first National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) on Wednesday 5 February 2014.
NVRD aims to empower young people to realise that they have a say and a stake in decisions affecting their future.
Across the UK, businesses, community groups and schools will be registering thousands of eligible young voters, showing them how and why they should take part in our democratic system. The campaign, organised by Bite the Ballot, will also mark 180 years since the Great Reform Act which first introduced voter registration.
Tim said: "We all need to do more to inspire and engage young people and ensure they don't miss out on their chance to vote. The first step towards this is to make sure that every 16-24 old is registered to vote."
"Many of those who are not on the electoral register are unaware that they are not registered to vote. With the local elections approaching fast, I would urge everyone, and not only young people, to get involved in the National Voter Registration Day and make sure they sign up to vote."
At the moment, only half of all young people are registered to vote compared to 96% of those aged over 65. Bite the Ballot hopes to register 250,000 new voters on February 5. To find out more, or to sign up, visit www.nvrd.co.uk/takepart and get the latest resources and videos from Bite the Ballot.
To check if you are registered to vote, get in touch with South Lakeland District Council Electoral Services Office on 01539 793193 or via email on