In the last few weeks I wrote to all the sixth forms in the #Meriden constituency in #Solihull to encourage them to ensure all students know how to register to vote:
"Dear headteacher
At a recent talk which I gave to sixth-formers I became aware that many students of this age have not yet registered to vote and will therefore be unable to take part in next year’s general election.
As you will know, the Government is introducing Individual Electoral Registration for 2015. People may no longer register to vote as a household. This may have a dramatic effect on students at your institution, who will now have to register individually. Communication of these changes across the country has sometimes been poor and, with increased bureaucracy, there is a genuine fear that many students may be disenfranchised, unable to fulfil their role as citizens at the general election in May 2015.
It is, therefore, essential that institutions working with young people do as much as possible to ensure their students register to vote. Many higher and further education institutions have taken action, and integrated electoral registration into their enrolment and induction processes. You may already have done so but, if not, even at this late stage, it would be good if you could do the same.
The easiest way to do this is to register online. The process takes approximately 5 minutes, at this link: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote".
