Register To Vote Today - National Voter Registration Day 5th February

Bristol City Council is encouraging local residents eligible to vote, to take advantage of National Voter Registration Day and go register online.

As part of this, Bristol City Council (BCC) is working with Bristol University to try and get more students on the electoral register. 

Across the nation it's estimated that 30% of 18-24 year olds are still not registered to vote. With more than 24,000 eligible students studying in the area, the Council and Bristol University want to encourage more people registrants from the locality before it’s too late.

Students from the university have already been out on the streets with the aim of persuading others to register.

Union Affairs Officer for Bristol University’s Student Union, Jo Wood, has been helping to organise their campaign.  She said: “I’ve never voted in an election before as I’ve always been too young.  Since the last general election, tuition fees have trebled and I’ve never had a say in that.  It’s important that young people have their say to make sure that there needs are being met.  You wouldn’t let someone else choose your haircut so why would you let them choose your government.”

Sam is a Bristol University Law student. He said: “I’m voting this May because I want to make sure that the Government represents young people and my needs.”

With less than 100 days until voters go to the polls on Thursday 7 May 2015 to elect a Member of Parliament for Bristol North West, East, West and South constituencies, time is of the essence. Local elections will also take place on the same day.

If there's anyone who's currently not registered but would like to be can do so at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote 

As part of National Voter Registration Day, there will be numerous events across the city. These include drop-in sessions at the council’s Citizen Service Points and a promotional stall at Bristol University’s volunteer fair. Here residents will be able to come down to find out about the new system and register in person. Anyone hoping to register will need to bring their National Insurance number with them.

Nicola Yates as Returning Officer for Bristol City Council, said:
“Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible in order to have their say on issues that affect their lives. I’d urge Bristol City Council residents to use National Voter Registration Day to spread the message amongst family and friends, who may not have registered yet, that it only takes a few minutes to complete the form online.”

Kay Jenkins, Head of English regions at the Electoral Commission, said:
“National Voter Registration Day exists because it’s important that anyone who’s eligible to be on the register, but has not yet registered, does so. Young people, students and people who move frequently are much less likely to be registered to vote. We’re urging them to use the day as an opportunity to get onto the electoral register.”

Coinciding with National Voter Registration Day, BCC has sent a letter to all households with details of the property's occupants. Anyone residing in the property whose name is not mentioned on the letter, should register to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. 

Local residents can obtain a paper copy of the registration form by visiting the Government’s website (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voter-registration-forms-paper-versions) or by contacting the BCC’s Electoral Services on 0117 922 3400.