With the UK set to go to the polls on 12 December, many are concerned about potential low turnout.
The last December election, which took place in 1923, had a low turnout and some believe that history could repeat itself.
Who could be affected?
University students are one group who have become involved in politics over the last few years. People between the ages of 18 to 24 voted in 2017 more than ever before. However, with most universities likely to break up before Election Day, this could limit students’ voting options.
The Vice President of City’s Student Union, Saqlain Riaz, voices that opinion, also stating that Student Unions across Universities in London have already started encouraging students to vote.
Another demographic that a December election affects is the elderly. Concerns have been raised over December darkness or adverse weather discouraging senior citizens from turning up to the polls.
John McGeachy, the Campaign Officer at Age UK London, one of UK’s leading charities working with older people, thinks that winter conditions make elderly people less likely to leave the house on Election Day.
What can be done?
Sally Greenbrook, the Policy Manager at the British Geriatric Society, says that the turnout rate of voting by post is pretty high; stating that 8.2 million people (18% of the electoral) elected to vote by post in the 2017 elections.
While postal votes may seem convenient, December may not be the best time.
With Christmas cards saturating the postal service, people who apply late for a postal vote may not receive their ballots in time. In addition, postal workers have been considering for some time striking in December.
The Association of Electoral Administrators is in talks with Royal Mail about prioritizing postal ballots over the festive period.
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HeadlineConcerns raised over fears of General Election low turnout
Short HeadlineDecember election creates low turnout concerns
StandfirstHistorically, December elections have low turnout, while Royal Mail workers have been considering striking during the same period.
It’s official, the UK will return to the polls for a general election in a month, on December 12th, the first time in just under 100 years. The last December election, which took place in 1923, had a low turnout and some believe that history could repeat itself.
WHO IS IT AFFECTING?
University students are one group who have become involved in politics over the last few years. People between the ages of 18 to 24 voted in 2017 more than ever before. However, with most universities likely to break up before Election Day, this could limit students’ voting options.
The Vice President of City’s Student Union, Saqlain Riaz, voices that opinion, also stating that Student Unions across Universities in London have already started encouraging students to vote.
Another demographic that a December election affects is the elderly. Concerns have been raised over December darkness or adverse weather discouraging senior citizens from turning up to the polls. John McGeachy, the Campaign Officer at Age UK London, one of UK’s leading charities working with older people, thinks that winter conditions make elderly people less likely to leave the house on Election Day.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
There is a way to sustain the turnout. Sally Greenbrook, the Policy Manager at the British Geriatric Society, says that the turnout rate of voting by post is pretty high; stating that 8.2 million people (18% of the electoral) elected to vote by post in the 2017 elections.
But… while postal votes may seem convenient, December may not be the best time! With Christmas cards saturating the postal service, people who apply late for a postal vote may not receive their ballots in time. To make matters worse, postal workers are also considering going on strike in December.
Now, the Association of Electoral Administrators is in talks with Royal Mail about prioritizing postal ballots over the festive period. However, it is advisable to start planning for the 12th of December as soon as possible.
Whatever the outcome on 13th December, there may be sections of the country that feel they haven’t been represented.
With the UK set to go to the polls on 12 December, many are concerned about potential low turnout.
The last December election, which took place in 1923, had a low turnout and some believe that history could repeat itself.
Who could be affected?
University students are one group who have become involved in politics over the last few years. People between the ages of 18 to 24 voted in 2017 more than ever before. However, with most universities likely to break up before Election Day, this could limit students’ voting options.
The Vice President of City’s Student Union, Saqlain Riaz, voices that opinion, also stating that Student Unions across Universities in London have already started encouraging students to vote.
Another demographic that a December election affects is the elderly. Concerns have been raised over December darkness or adverse weather discouraging senior citizens from turning up to the polls.
John McGeachy, the Campaign Officer at Age UK London, one of UK’s leading charities working with older people, thinks that winter conditions make elderly people less likely to leave the house on Election Day.
What can be done?
Sally Greenbrook, the Policy Manager at the British Geriatric Society, says that the turnout rate of voting by post is pretty high; stating that 8.2 million people (18% of the electoral) elected to vote by post in the 2017 elections.
While postal votes may seem convenient, December may not be the best time.
With Christmas cards saturating the postal service, people who apply late for a postal vote may not receive their ballots in time. In addition, postal workers have been considering for some time striking in December.
The Association of Electoral Administrators is in talks with Royal Mail about prioritizing postal ballots over the festive period.
