By Brody Anderson, Second Year, Politics and Interational Relations
It is time that universities and student groups seriously consider the importance of students joining the electoral register.
In the 2017 General election Analysis by YouGov showed that only 59% of those aged 20-24 voted. Turnout was even lower for those aged 18 and 19 (57%). In stark comparison, 84% of people aged over 70 voted. This discrepancy in voter turnout is widely known about and has been extensively reported on, however progress towards turnout equality is still far too slow.
Universities have a huge role to play in changing this. They must do far more to encourage students to vote.
The need for a more active approach to engagement has been acknowledged by Bristol SU: at Student Council in 2017, a motion was passed to integrate voter registration into the enrolment process at UoB, recognising a ‘systematic failure to involve young people in the political process’.
Whilst it was encouraging to see that UoB’s online registration now provides a link to the voter registration website, much more must be done to enforce this motion and push student registration.
The university and Bristol SU must implement an extensive communications campaign promoting registration. At a minimum, university channels must more prominently highlight the register to vote webpage beyond that of the registration page which practically disappears from thought and sight once you’re done.
The University should provide readily available information on registration on their websites – akin to what is provided by other universities like Exeter. Heightened national political activity, coinciding with a new term, gives the ideal opportunity for UoB to promote a simple message: register – it takes 5 minutes. Students will (probably) check their emails: it would hardly be taxing for a one-line reminder to appear at the bottom of each university-wide message.
Alongside this, UoB must considerably use the communications resources available in Halls. This is where the chance to make the most substantial impact lies: if first years are informed and encouraged to register, not only will they have the chance to participate in any upcoming election, registration in subsequent years will almost certainly be more likely.
The NUS and YourVoteMatters, a group run by the Electoral Commission and promoted by Local Authorities, have provided, across numerous campaigns, freely available resources to inform and encourage registration, such as 2017’s #GenerationVote. It is strange that in a politically active city like Bristol, a central institution such as UoB would fail to do the same, centralising democratic engagement for thousands of potential voters upon a move to Halls. A meaningful effort to foreground registration in students’ minds through some visual messages – as simple as a poster in every kitchen – would show that UoB and Bristol SU are serious about participation.
All political societies must encourage enfranchisement collaboratively regardless of politics
JCRs and senior residents must also be effective. During the first weeks of term, freshers will undoubtedly be bombarded with information regarding student clubs, events, and ironically, SU Elections, but will almost certainly not be told face-to-face that as students, they are able to register to vote at both a home and term-time address, so that come an election, there is a greatly enhanced chance they can vote. Whilst registering might not be the most interesting of activities for first years, it may turn out to be one of the most important 5 minutes of the first term – if actively promoted by senior members of Halls.
Whilst formal steps by the university and SU would be an improvement, it is not enough to simply expect all responsibility to lie with those in management roles at UoB.
Universities have a huge role to play, and must encourage students to vote.
Student groups too have a central part to play in emphasising registration. At Bristol Labour Students, we have already taken action to inform our members of the various registration and voting methods. Yet all politically engaged societies must now be at the forefront of a university-wide, organic, student-led call to register, and must recognise that encouraging enfranchisement collaboratively is beyond partisanship. A coordinated campaign above political boundaries, working with the SU when necessary, would not only heighten the number of students able to actively play a part in our democracy; but would grow groups’ own profiles and visibility on campus. Political groups must not reject the chance to explore promoting the message of registration together.
It is time to seize that opportunity, get people registered, and move on to the next, bigger challenge – ensuring that UoB students turn out when a poll is inevitably called.
If you haven't yet registered to vote, click here to register.
Featured: Courtesy of Bristol Labour students
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