A new short film has been launched in South Tyneside to help highlight the importance of registering to vote among young people.
The video, Your Future, Your Vote, Your Choice, has been created as part of a campaign to encourage young people across the Borough to register to vote ahead of the Monday 18 April closing date and have their voices heard when the polls open on Thursday 5 May.
The one minute clip features real young people, who are filmed in different scenarios at well-known locations in South Tyneside, helping to spread key messages among their peers about how voting and democracy plays a part in all aspects of society.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for democratic renewal, hopes the video will inspire young people to register by the closing date, particularly if they are aged 18 or over by 5 May, to ensure they can exercise their right to vote on Elections Day.
He said: “It is extremely important that our young people know that voting is one of the most effective ways of having their voices heard on issues affecting their everyday lives.
“The Local Government elections enable people to select those they want to represent their views and make decisions on their behalf on the running local services – from parks, leisure and education to transport, social care and waste management.
“The video is particularly aimed at first time voters to help them understand how their vote can influence local services and the democratic process – an area they may have previously thought was out of their control. We want to change this view among our younger generation and promote voting as a real opportunity to take pride and power in their future.”
The Council worked with South Tyneside’s Youth Parliament, South Tyneside College, local school students in the development of the video, which will now be used as an educational resource in schools and at young people’s events across the Borough.
It can also be viewed on the Council’s website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk, the Council’s YouTube channel, on social media and screens in key public buildings. The drive also includes a poster and banner campaign reminding young people to register to vote on display across the Borough.
Councillor Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Our young people are the future of this country and have a vital role to play in local democracy.
“This new resource is a great way to encourage them to engage with decision making and make informed choices about their future. It gets the message across from young people to young people in a simple, easy to understand way, highlighting some of the issues that they say matters most such as family life, job opportunities, leisure services and community safety.
“I’m delighted the video is also being promoted using channels that appeal to young people’s interests in the digital age and new technology. The campaign also reminds them that registering online on www.gov.uk/register-to-vote is easy and quick to do as young people can apply to register anytime, anywhere, using their smart phone, tablet or computer.”
On Thursday 5 May, voters in South Tyneside will go to the polls to elect local government councillors to represent them on South Tyneside Council and to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Northumbria area. Those eligible to vote need to be registered before the closing date of Monday 18 April.
Young people who are 18 or over on 5 May are eligible to vote at the elections and those over the age of 16 can register to vote now for the future. Those who have not registered to vote will not be able to take part and have their say this 5 May.
Every year, South Tyneside Council undertakes a canvassing exercise to encourage young people to register to vote when they turn 16, so that they can vote when they are 18.
As a result of the most recent canvass, more than 1,200 young people registered to vote individually. This represented around 63 per cent of the estimated number of people in this age group living in the Borough and is higher than the national average for this group at 55 per cent.
Everyone is responsible for registering themselves. It is no longer the head of the household. Students who are living away at university can register both their home address and the term time address.
The last day to apply to register to vote is Monday 18 April. The last day to apply for a postal vote is Tuesday 19 April.
Online registration is available 24 hours a day at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Applicants will need to enter their national insurance number and date of birth.
For further information visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/elections or call South Tyneside Council’s Elections Team on(0191) 424 7230.