Skip to main content

Young people and students discuss democratic engagement and voter ID

31 January 2020

On Tuesday 4 February, the Committee hears from students and young people's organisations - NUS, British Youth Council and the Office for Students as part of its inquiry into the Electoral Registration Act. Topics for discussion include participation in elections, voter ID and democratic engagement. In the second evidence session, the Committee hears about the work of the British Election Study and its contribution to our knowledge of elections.

Witnesses

Tuesday 4 February in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster

At 3.30pm

  • Kira Lewis, Trustee, British Youth Council
  • Conor Ryan – Director of External Relations, Office for Students
  • Claire Sosienski Smith, Vice President for Higher Education, National Union of Students

At 4.30pm

  • Dr Chris Prosser,  co-director British Election Study and Presidential Fellow in Politics, University of Manchester

Possible questions

  • What is your assessment of the levels of registration, engagement and participation of young people and students at the recent election?
  • What impact has the introduction of individual electoral registration had on students and young people?
  • What reforms would help boost registration rates of students and young people?
  • What impact do you think the introduction of voter ID would have on electoral turnout of students and young people?
  • How does BES assess levels of electoral registration?
  • What are the main factors that account for the registration gap between different demographic groups and how has this been affected by IER?
  • What impact does a more volatile register have on the work of the Boundary Commission in deciding electoral boundaries?

Further information

Image: Parliamentary copyright