www.electoralcommission.co.uk/media-centre/newsreleaser -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 7/9/2002
Last Visited: 11/21/2007
A team from its Department of Government, led by Dr Andrew Russell, looks at the reasons for voting and abstaining, young people's attitudes towards elections, parties and politics.
The UK-wide report Voter engagement and young people highlights the fact that lack of information is often a problem, particularly for young people living in constituencies with safe seats, where parties see little incentive in engaging with the electorate.In addition, the quality of information is often problematic, with attempts by political parties to engage young people seen as inadequate, and tarred with the same brush as the party politics which repel them in the first place.
Dr Andrew Russell, author of the Voter engagement and young people report says 'Lack of knowledge effectively bars many young people from voting.
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The suggestions and recommendations contained within this report are those of the author (Dr Andrew Russell) and contributors (Dr Edward Fieldhouse, Dr Kingsley Purdham and Dr Virinder Kalra) and not of The Electoral Commission.
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To arrange an interview with Dr Andrew Russell of Manchester University, please contact The Electoral Commission's press office on the number below.