Published Monday 27 March 2023 at 14:08
Young people across Blackburn with Darwen are being encouraged to vote for the first time in this year’s local elections.
For many it will be their first time for voting on May 4th and Blackburn with Darwen’s Youth MP Muhammed Bapu, is encouraging young people to vote and help shape the future of the borough.
This year new legislation means that all residents will need to bring Voter ID to polling stations – a change in requirements for casting votes across the UK.
Here is a letter from Muhammed for young people to make their mark.
For many young people across Blackburn with Darwen voting can be seen as an intimidating experience.
Some don’t know how to register to vote, where to vote and who you should vote for and why.
That’s why I am calling for first time voters and young people from across the borough not to waste their voice this year.
Your opinion matters.
Being able to have your say on what happens in your community and contribute to the outcome of local decision making is extremely important!
There are different ways to vote making it easy for you and you can even take your dog along with you to vote and the polling station is the perfect place to show that you’re supporting the future of your local towns.
Councillors make important decisions on topics such as transport, growth and development, education, to how money is spent to improve our leisure centres and funding services for your health and yourself.
You may feel under represented, feel that pride and discrimination is an issue because of your age, gender or race – voting can help make a difference and you can change issues in and around the borough, but only if you vote for it!
For a step-by-step guide on how to vote for the first time you can find Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s First Time Voters Guide here.