Five reasons why you should vote

1. Some of the biggest election issues directly affect young people

The lack of job opportunities for young people, the cost of attending university, the war in Afghanistan (young soldiers are the ones dying), the devastating effects of climate change – these are just a few of the issues which directly affect young people in the UK today. And despite the common argument that ‘all political parties are the same’, political parties DO actually have different views on these issues. The General Election is the perfect opportunity to influence the direction of these issues. If you don’t vote, you won’t have any influence.

2. If every young person aged 18-25 voted, it would change the outcome of the General Election

Only 37% of 18-24 year-olds voted in the 2005 General Election – the lowest percentage turnout for any age group. But imagine if 60%, 70% or even 80% of young people voted? It would change the outcome of the General Election. In the last election, one MP won by just 37 votes. 37, that’s all! Your vote and the votes of your friends really could alter the outcome of the election. Young people have more power than they think.

3. If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain

What happens if you don’t vote, your friends don’t vote, other young people you know don’t vote and an MP is elected who makes terrible decisions and is opposed to everything you stand for? Chances are, you will complain. But is it fair to complain when you didn’t bother to vote? Don’t vote, don’t complain!

4. Vote because you can

Many young people around the world still do not have the right to vote. Something which we take for granted in the UK is just a dream for young people living in oppressive dictatorships in other parts of the world. People have died fighting for the right to vote. Who can predict the future? We may not always live in a democracy with free and fair elections. You should vote because you can. Others around the world don’t have the same luxury.

5. Politicians will take more notice of young people’s views

If young people don’t vote, it’s easy for politicians to ignore their views. When politicians ignore their views, young people become more despondent and say ‘why bother voting? It makes no difference’. And so the cycle continues. We need to break this cycle. If more young people vote, politicians will HAVE to take notice. Young people could become as important in an election as any other group in society. But this will only happen if young people go out and vote!

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Why I will be voting

Ahmed Elhoudiri from Torbay has just turned 18 and the General Election will be his first opportunity to vote. Read why Ahmed will be voting on May 6th.

Charlotte Scothern, 18, from Roterham is looking forward to voting for the first time. She was interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield about why it's important young people vote. Listen to Charlotte's interview.

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Still need convincing?

If you are still unsure about whether to vote or not, take a look at Parliament's guide to first time voters. As it says on their website: "The world is changing fast and this is no time to be a passive spectator, watching those changes happen around you. Starting with your right to vote, you’ve got real power so don’t waste it."  Click here for more.

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Register to vote

It is now too late to register to vote in the upcoming General Election, but you can still register to vote for future elections. You can register even if you're aged 16-17. To register, go to: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk