July 4th 2024.
The way we vote has remained largely unchanged for generations, despite the advancements of technology and the digital world. It can feel like a step back in time to enter a polling station in a world of AI and QR codes. The setting itself can be reminiscent of a scene from the popular show "The Vicar of Dibley," with village halls, churches, and primary schools across the country opening their doors on election day. Armed with a small pencil, voters mark an "X" on a piece of paper before depositing it into a postbox, similar to the ones used to send letters to Santa.
The process of voting, which is crucial to the functioning of modern society, has remained relatively unchanged since the first "secret" ballot was held in Britain in 1872. However, this week, a new group of voters, those born on or before July 4, 2006, will be exercising their democratic right for the first time in the General Election. For these Gen Z voters, who have grown up in a digital world, the traditional set-up of in-person voting may seem out of place.
After all, this is the generation that has never experienced the sound of dial-up internet, owned a CD, or lived in a home with a landline telephone. It's understandable that they may feel disconnected from the physical act of voting in a world where everything is done online. This is why initiatives like our weekly newsletter, which offers analysis, news, and views on policies that matter to you, are crucial in engaging young voters. We also have a WhatsApp channel for quick updates and breaking news, as well as a TikTok account where we debunk myths, share voter opinions, and provide election updates.
Amy Lobo, an 18-year-old from Portsmouth, voted for the first time just two months ago in a local election. She found the process to be outdated and believes that introducing online voting could encourage more young people to participate. "It's such an archaic system," she says. "In a modern society, I think the system of voting in person is a little bit out of place." Amy suggests giving more technologically advanced options to young people, while still allowing older generations to vote in person if they prefer.
Eliza Lin, another 18-year-old voter from Gosport, agrees that the current system can be inconvenient for young people with busy lives. She also points out the difficulties faced by those living in rural areas who may have to travel long distances to reach a polling station. Eliza believes that having both in-person and online voting options would increase accessibility, similar to the availability of physical and digital prescriptions.
But why are pencils used at polling stations? It's a question that has been asked many times, with some concerns raised about the potential for fraud. In 2016, Kenneth Priestley submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Electoral Commission, seeking clarification on the use of pencils. The Electoral Commission responded by stating that while pencils are traditionally provided, voters are free to use a pen if they prefer. The use of pencils is not a legal requirement but is instead a practical one, as there is a risk of ink pens drying out or spilling on the ballot paper.
Their response also addressed concerns about the possibility of electoral fraud, stating that the integrity of the voting process is maintained through specific safeguards, such as seals on ballot boxes and the requirement for a paper trail. However, some young people still feel nervous about voting in person and opt for postal voting instead. In the 2019 General Election, 21% of all valid votes were postal votes, with a higher turnout among postal voters compared to those who voted in person.
Ellie Wescott, a 22-year-old from Dorset, chose to vote by post in the 2019 election due to feelings of anxiety. She explains, "Going in person puts me off voting. I don't like the idea of going somewhere I don't know, queuing up with other people, and the formality of it." It's a sentiment shared by many young people, who are more likely to experience some form of anxiety compared to other age groups. While the current system should not be scrapped, there is room for adaptation to make the process more inclusive and convenient for young voters.
Voting has been a longstanding tradition that has remained unchanged for generations. However, with the rapid advancement of technology and the use of AI and QR codes, the process of casting our votes can feel like a step back in time. The familiar setting of village halls, churches, and primary schools across the country being transformed into polling stations evokes a sense of nostalgia, almost like a scene from the popular show "The Vicar of Dibley". As we enter these buildings, we are given a tiny pencil to mark an "X" on a piece of paper, which is then deposited into a box resembling those used for letters to Santa. It's a simple process, yet one that has remained virtually unchanged since its inception in 1872.
But as the 2024 General Election approaches, a new crop of young voters, born on or before July 4, 2006, will have their first taste of exercising their democratic right. For these individuals, who have grown up in a digitized world, the traditional set-up of voting may seem out of place. They are a generation that has never experienced the frustration of dial-up internet, owned a CD, or even lived in a house with a landline telephone. So it's no surprise that the idea of physically going to a polling station and using a pencil and paper may feel outdated to them.
Eighteen-year-old Amy Lobo from Portsmouth voted for the first time just two months ago in a local election and found the process to be "outdated". She shares, "It's such an archaic system. In today's modern society, where everything is done online, going to a physical location and using a pencil and paper seems out of place." She believes that introducing online voting would make it more convenient for young people to participate in the democratic process. "Older people can continue to vote in person, but for us, it would be great to have more technologically advanced options. It would make the process much easier and more accessible," she adds.
Eliza Lin, also 18, from Gosport, shares Amy's sentiment. "With people leading busy lives, it can be challenging to find the time to go to a polling station. And for those living in rural areas, it's even more difficult. Having an anonymous digital service would increase accessibility and be more favorable for young people. It would be similar to having physical and digital prescriptions," she explains.
But have you ever wondered why pencils are used at polling stations? In almost every election, it's a common sight to see a pencil attached to a chain, waiting for us to mark our ballots. However, there have been concerns about the use of pencils, with some believing it increases the risk of fraud. This worry prompted Kenneth Priestley to inquire about the use of pencils via a Freedom of Information request back in 2016. The Electoral Commission responded by stating that while pencils are traditionally provided, there is nothing stopping voters from using a pen instead. The use of pencils is due to historical and practical reasons, as ink pens may dry out or spill on the paper, causing smudges and potentially leading to a rejection of the vote. The Commission also stressed that the use of pencils does not increase the likelihood of electoral fraud, as the process has built-in safeguards to maintain its integrity.
However, some young people may still feel anxious about in-person voting and choose to vote by post instead. In the 2019 General Election, 21% of all valid votes were postal votes, and the turnout tends to be higher among postal voters than those who go to polling stations. Ellie Wescott, from Dorset, was one such voter. At the age of 22, she opted for a postal vote due to her anxiety. "The idea of going to a polling station and being in unfamiliar surroundings, queuing up with strangers, and the formality of it all makes me anxious. So I prefer to vote by post," she shares. This sentiment is not uncommon among the younger generation, who are more likely to experience anxiety than any other age group.
In conclusion, the age-old tradition of voting has remained relatively unchanged for generations. However, as technology continues to advance, it may be time to adapt and consider introducing more technologically advanced options for voting. While the current system should not be scrapped, it would be beneficial to have the option of voting online, especially for the younger generation who have grown up in a digitized world. This would make the process more convenient, accessible, and potentially increase voter turnout.
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