London, United Kingdom – July 1, 2016 – New research by election technology firm Smartmatic and WebRoots Democracy illustrates the link between low youth turnout in elections and the UK’s outdated voting system. A survey found 45% of 18-24 year olds and 28% of 25-34 year olds who did not vote in the referendum said they would have been more likely to do so if they had been able to vote online, prompting calls from youth groups for immediate reforms to the UK voting system.
Based on population and turnout, the Smartmatic and WebRoots’ results revealed an estimated 502,000 18-24 year olds and 666,000 of 25-24 year olds would have voted if they could have voted online.
- Nearly three quarters of 18-24 year olds and two thirds of 25-34 year olds voted to Remain
- Polls have suggested that just over a third of 18-24 year olds and just over half 25-34 year olds actually cast their vote
- Across the country, areas with a lower median age saw a much lower turnout
- By contrast, 57% of 55-64 year olds and 60% of 65+ voted to Leave
- In 2015, a ComRes survey found that 57% of disenfranchised 18-24 year olds would be more likely to vote if they could do so online