Kevan Jones, Member of Parliament for North Durham, has urged young people across County Durham to ensure they are registered to vote ahead of the General Election in May.
The introduction of Individual Voter Registration means that now each individual must register themselves, rather than one person doing it on behalf of a whole household as before.
Kevan said, “I was concerned to note that there has been a substantial drop in the number of seventeen year olds, who will turn eighteen in the coming months, appearing on the electoral register for North Durham. The numbers have fallen by around seventy-five per cent compared to last year.
“The changes to voter registration mean it is vital that individuals ensure they are on the register, and I would particularly encourage young people to make sure they do not miss out on their first chance to cast a vote. I would say even to those who will not turn eighteen until after the May elections to make sure they are registered in the event that any further elections occur in their area this year.”
There are only 114 people who will turn eighteen in 2015 on the register in North Durham. This is down from 630 in 2014 and 652 in 2013.
You can register to vote online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote