BABERGH SENDS  AN ‘X’ TO GENERATION X! 

Babergh District Council has launched a campaign reminding 18 year olds that they are eligible to vote and urging them to use that vote when the next elections take place.

Babergh will be sending out birthday cards to everyone on the electoral register who reaches 18 in the next year. The cards are deliberately eye-catching and humourous with images of young people blowing a kiss on the outside and a list of the things an 18 year old can legally do – including voting – marked with an ‘X’ on the inside.

The initiative has been prompted by growing national concerns that voter turnout amongst younger citizens is well behind the average and shows signs of falling back further. Overall voter turnout in the 2005 General Election was 62%, but it is estimated that the figure for the 18 -24 age group was only 37%. Compared to the General Election in 2001, overall turnout went up by three percentage points, but amongst 18 – 24s it actually fell by two points. This has prompted some commentators to speak of a Generation X disconnected from the electoral process and the concern that they will carry forward this non-voting as they grow older.

Ray Amesbury, Babergh’s Electoral and Administrative Services Manager, explained that  “the healthiness of our democracy depends on how representative it is. Babergh is keen to ensure that the next generation of voters is aware of their right to vote at the earliest, relevant opportunity and we hope that these cards will inform or remind young voters of this”.
Babergh is also working with local young people both directly and via schools to inform them of how local government works, how it affects them and how they can influence local decision-making.

Babergh estimates that nearly 1000 young residents living in the district will become eligible to vote over the next 12 months.

Further information about voting.