We want the University Of Edinburgh to reinstate voter registration when matriculating students each year. Students are currently under severe strain from government action and deserve to have our voice heard.

The current system of individual voter registration penalises young voters with a complex registration system leaving many unsure if they are allowed to register to vote at two addresses or not. Only 2% of the vote decided the European Union referendum with young people and students voting less than any other demographic.

We believe it is our future and we deserve to be allowed to have our say.

We are asking the University to integrate voter registration and enrolment by allowing students, both new and returning, to register to vote through University systems. This could include the option of registering to vote upon matriculation/enrolment at the University, University staff, specifically personal tutors, reminding students to register and a link to register to vote on the MyEd page.

During the EU referendum many of us campaigned and hoped passionately for an ‘In’ vote and were obviously very disappointed with the result. However, we were even more disappointed that students and young people, who overwhelmingly supported ‘In’, engaged with the process the least and voted in fewer numbers than other part of the population. This isn’t because students and young people care less, but a systematic failure to involve young people in the political process and make us believe that our voices matter.

The introduction of individual electoral registration added yet another barrier to democratic participation. We believe that this petition will give students not just the voice we need but the voice we deserve.

Please comment with your student number if you can.