Well each year nearly a quarter of young people who should be included on the electoral register for the first time are left off. It means that they can’t vote when there is an election.

This country is a democracy. Every day, Members of Parliament and local councillors, elected by the people, take vital decisions affecting all our lives. You can help choose them. Make sure you have your say - use your right to vote. If you don’t, you will lose your chance to influence the way things are run in the country, or your part of it. All votes are equal - your vote is as important as anyone else’s is.

Can anyone vote?

No, you have to be 18 or over, you must also be:

• A British citizen; or
• A citizen of another Commonwealth country; or
• For certain elections, a citizen of another European Union country

That’s easy. Each year, at the end of the summer, the local Electoral Registration Officer (whose job it is to compile the register) sends the electoral registration form (called Form A) to every household in his or her area.

Form A varies in appearance from area to area. If your household has not received the form by the middle of September contact the Electoral Registration Officer at your local council offices. Form A has to be filled in by one of the householders.

• If you live in a hostel the form should be filled in by the people who run it.
• If you are a lodger in someone’s house it should be filled in by the owner of the house.
• If you live in a flat with friends, one person should take responsibility for filling in the form.
• If you live on your own, in a bedsit for example, you should fill in the form.

Form A explains which people are allowed to vote so that the householder can list their names. All 16 and 17 year olds should be included. This is because they may reach the age of 18 (and become eligible to vote) while the register is still being used.

The above applies to the political process in the United Kingdom and follows the laws of the UK.