Students denied right to vote
A UNIVERSITY administrative error which left 52 students unable to vote in Thursday’s council elections has drawn widespread criticism from both students and electoral candidates.
Despite assuring all students that they would automatically be registered to vote in an email sent out through the colleges, the University failed to pass their details on to the Council’s Electoral Services. The actual number of students who were unable to vote is widely believed to be significantly higher than the confirmed total of 52.
University spokesman David Garner said of the error, “It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure their name is on the register. We supply the names if they are in University accommodation, but the responsibility for checking is theirs.”
However, all students living on campus received an email via college administrators a week before the election saying “If you’re living in College accommodation you will automatically be registered to vote.”
Heslington ward candidates from all three major parties condemned the University’s failure to provide a complete list of students living on campus. Liberal Democrat Councillor Ceredig Jamieson-Ball, who was re-elected on Thursday, said “It is very disappointing that people have been disenfranchised because the University did not do the job that they were supposed to do…it is the responsibility of the University to ensure that the information they supply to Electoral Services is full and correct.” Labour candidate Grace Fletcher-Hall said “the University has been going on about how it’s people’s individual responsibility to make sure they are registered but they have given students repeated assurances that would be registered automatically.” She added: “I am furious at how the University have handled this.” Conservative candidate Julia Heaton described the University’s handling of the situation as “a disgrace”.
John Grogan, the local MP, also voiced concern. He said “In reality most students will assume that they are on the register and I will certainly be writing to the Vice-Chancellor to ask the University to review why some students were left off the register and to try and review their procedures so next year they can get as near to 100% possible.”
Students also expressed their anger and frustration over Thursday’s events. Dan Thornton, who made a four-hour round trip to vote at home when he realised he wouldn’t be able to in York, said “To say it’s our own fault is stupid. The University sent emails saying that we would be registered to vote. I’m sorry for having faith in the system.” Iona Josephine Hawe added “I take my right to vote seriously and am disappointed that I have been cheated out of this.”
YUSU criticised the University’s lack of reaction when it became apparent early on Thursday that some students were unable to vote. Communications Officer Colin Hindson said “they didn’t see it as a problem. Without someone mentioning it to them they didn’t take it up as an issue. They wait for the issues to come to them instead of actively seeking to address them”. Only after pressure from YUSU did an advisory notice appear on York Extra for students unable to vote.
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