We are thrilled to share an incredible milestone that ARU Students' Union has achieved – the successful implementation of automatic voter registration for all students! This initiative, recently approved by our university, marks a significant step towards ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Automatical enrollment will begin after September 2024.

The Journey to Auto-Enrollment

The journey to automatic voter registration began with a clear vision: to empower our student body by simplifying the process of voter registration. Recognising that many students, especially international and new students, might be unaware of their voting rights or the registration process, we set out to remove these barriers.

ARU Students' Union collaborated closely with the university administration and local electoral services. After several meetings, presentations, and persistent efforts, we secured the university's approval to integrate voter registration with the student enrollment process.

How It Works

The new system is straightforward and efficient. When students enroll at the university, their information is automatically shared with the local electoral registration office. Students receive a confirmation email detailing their registration status and instructions on how to opt-out if they choose not to be registered.

This seamless process ensures that students are automatically considered for voter registration without any additional paperwork or effort. It’s a win-win situation, simplifying the process for students and increasing voter participation.

Feedback from Students

The response from the student body has been overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few testimonials from our peers:

• "As an international student, I was unsure about my voting rights. The automatic registration clarified everything for me, and now I'm excited to vote for the first time in the UK." – Anandhu 
• "This initiative shows that our Students' Union truly cares about student engagement and democracy. It's inspiring to see such proactive steps being taken." – Sreya

Looking Ahead

While we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to further enhancing student engagement and participation. Our next steps include providing comprehensive resources on voter education and organizing more events leading up to election days.

We encourage all students to check their voter registration status, stay informed about upcoming elections, and exercise their right to vote. Your voice matters, and together, we can make a difference.

Conclusion

The success of automatic voter registration is a proud moment for our Students' Union and our entire university community. It reflects our commitment to empowering students and fostering a culture of active citizenship. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported this initiative and made it possible.

Let’s continue to work together to ensure that every student’s voice is heard!

Stay Engaged, Stay Empowered!