Students urged to use their right to vote

RIPON Grammar School teenagers are being urged to use their right to vote as the general election looms.

Just 16% of 16-17-year-olds and 60% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote across Great Britain, compared with 94% of 55-64-year-olds and 96% of over 65-year-olds.

RGS contacted all 395 students aged 16 or over to take part in a Voter Registration Day, organised by the VotesForSchools and iVote charities.

The charities' free resource pack includes a 30-minute presentation explaining why and how to register, along with explanatory handouts and a video featuring young people and politicians.

Sixth former Polina Whitehead, who registered once she turned 18, said: “I’m already set to vote. But it’s a really good idea for school to help students, as many wouldn’t know how to approach this.”

Deputy head of sixth form, Lee Lyons, who organised the day, said: “We believe it is so important that young people use their right to vote.”

Colleague Helen Nelson added that it was key for younger students to engage too: “For those aged 16, it ensures that when they are 18 they are already registered and it creates a sense of responsibility."

*The deadline to register to vote in the general election of July 4 is 23.59 on Tuesday, June 18.

*Register to vote here: Register to vote - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)