The figures reveal that the number of votes being cast in youth elections in the UK has increased by nearly 50 per cent in just a year, from 409,114 in 2010/11, to 595,600 in 2011/12.
Average turnout for elections in 2011/12 was 23.26 per cent, up on 16.81 per cent in 2010/11.
David Clark, deputy chief executive of the British Youth Council, said despite local authority cutbacks, councils are “really engaging” with young people.
“It’s also down to the young people running the elections,” he said. “They are talking about issues affecting young people in their communities and inspiring them to vote.”
However, the report does reveal significant differences in levels of turnout across the UK.
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