This Valentine’s Day London Elects is desperately seeking young voters

Do you turn 18 on 3rd May? Do you love London? If so, you could help a London-wide campaign to help encourage young voters to have their say in the election for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.

This Valentines Day, London Elects has launched a social media campaign to find youngsters that are passionate about London and their local area.

Sarah Garrett, from London Elects, said:

"On 3rd May, Londoners will be able to vote for the Mayor of London and 25 London Assembly members. These people make decisions that affect many aspects of your everyday life in London.

"We want young people who love London as much as we do to join us to make sure that the capital's young people know how to have their say on 3rd May. We're looking for one teenager from every borough in London who will be celebrating their 18th birthday on 3rd May, to join us and help our campaign to get young people out on polling day and have their say in this important election."

Contact @LondonElects, on Facebook or email info@londonelects.org.uk to find out more and join the campaign.

To vote in the London election you need to be at least 18 years old on 3rd May 2012, live in London and be a British, Republic of Ireland, Commonwealth or EU citizen.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact:
Emma Crowe at London Communications Agency on 020 7612 8478 or 07917 728131 /ec@londoncommunications.co.uk
Liz Ricardo Blnding at London Communications Agency on 020 7612 8480 or 07964 909851 / jeg@londoncommunications.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @LondonElects

1. London Elects is the independent body responsible – under the direction of the Greater London Returning Officer (GLRO) – for delivering and encouraging participation in the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections.
2. London Elects is part of the Greater London Authority, but is operationally independent. It has a separate budget and reports directly to the GLRO.
3. The Greater London Authority election (for the Mayor of London and the London Assembly) has 5.8 million registered voters, making it largest single election in the UK (the general election is run as 650 separate elections. The next largest single election is Scottish Parliament, which has 3.98million registered voters)
4. The GLRO for this election - John Bennett - will work with Returning Officers in the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London to deliver the election.
5. Turnout for the 2008 Mayor of London election was 45.3%, for the Assembly constituency elections was 45.1% and for the Assembly list election was 45.2%.
6. More information on turnout, including on a constituency and borough level, can be found at: http://data.london.gov.uk/documents/GLA-mayoral-elections-2008.pdf
7. As of 1 December 2010, there were 5,715,418 registered voters in Greater London. The latest registration figures, including by borough, can be found here: www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_other/uk-electoral-statistics-2010.xls
8. Figures for 1 December 2011 will be available in the coming weeks