Aylesbury students go to the polls

Archived press release

Date Published: 26/04/10

Young people in Aylesbury are being invited to have their say on major issues at a special mini-election.

In the run up to next month’s General Election, students at Aylesbury College will be able to cast their vote on the issues that matter to them.

The mock election has been organised by Aylesbury Vale District Council and is being held between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday 27 April in the main foyer of the college.

The event aims to raise awareness amongst young people of the importance of voting and engaging in the democratic process.

Students will be able to cast their vote in real polling booths. The young voters will be asked to simply mark their ballot paper with an X next to the issue they feel affects them the most and put it in the sealed ballot box.

Drugs and alcohol, crime, debt, health, employment and the environment are the issues that students will be asked to vote on. However, as in real life, voting will not be compulsory.

When the mock poll has closed, the votes will be counted by AVDC and the results will then be fed back to the students.

Chris Sheard, Electoral Services Manager at AVDC, said: “We are committed to encouraging more young people to get involved and engaged in the democratic process. This is a great opportunity to inform and educate young people about how elections work and show them that politics affects their everyday lives.”

Tina Wooller, Learner Services Manager at Aylesbury College, said: “The college is delighted to be hosting this election. We feel it is very important that young people have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the key issues of today’s society. By participating, the students will realise the importance of their vote in future elections.”