Local and General Elections – What They Mean for Students

For many students across the United Kingdom, the idea of voting in elections can feel distant or disconnected from everyday life. With busy schedules, deadlines, and social commitments, it’s easy to overlook politics. 

But with Polling Day for local elections approaching on May 1st 2025, and a General Election likely to take place within the next year, now is the perfect time for students to understand why voting matters – and how these elections could directly affect their future.

Elections give people the power to influence the decisions being made in their local area and across the country. Whether it’s about the rising cost of living, student housing, transport, or climate action, voting is the most direct way for students to have their voices heard.

What Are Local Elections?

Local elections are all about the people who run your local council. These councils are responsible for many of the day-to-day services that affect student life, including housing standards, bin collections, local transport, libraries, and the management of nightlife areas. 

When students complain about poor bus routes, expensive rents, or lack of recycling options, these are often decisions made by local councils.

In local elections, students vote for councillors to represent the area where they live, usually their university town or city. These councillors shape policies that can impact your accommodation, community safety, parking, and local facilities. 

Importantly, local elections can often be decided by very small numbers of votes – meaning the student vote genuinely has power, particularly in university towns.

What About the General Election?

In contrast, the General Election focuses on electing Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent larger areas known as constituencies. The party with the most MPs usually forms the UK Government, responsible for setting nationwide policies.

For students, decisions made in Parliament can have a huge effect. Tuition fees, student loans, the NHS, minimum wage laws, the housing market, and graduate job prospects are all shaped by national government policy. 

The General Election provides students with the opportunity to influence the overall direction of the country – whether that’s supporting better climate action, improved healthcare, or greater financial support for young people.

When Are These Elections Happening?

Local elections are scheduled for Thursday 1st May 2025 in many areas across England and Wales. These elections happen every few years and allow voters to choose their local councillors.

The next General Election must legally have taken place by January 2025, although many experts expect it to have been called earlier, potentially in autumn 2024 or early 2025. 

Either way, students should prepare for the chances to vote within the next year – both of which could affect their immediate living conditions and their future prospects.

Why Should Students Bother Voting?

It’s no secret that young people traditionally vote in smaller numbers than older generations. 

Yet, students represent a large portion of many local populations, especially in university cities. The more students that vote, the more politicians and local councillors will have to pay attention to student needs.

Issues such as rising rent, poor quality housing, affordable transport, and the cost of living are hot topics for students right now. Councils and governments allocate funding and resources based on who votes – so staying silent at election time can mean missing the chance to influence the things that matter most.

Beyond local issues, the General Election is about shaping the UK’s future for years to come. Decisions about climate action, education funding, public services, and employment rights will have long-term consequences, particularly for those at the start of their working lives.

Can Students Vote in Their University City?

Students are in a unique position because they often live in two places – their home address and their university address. The good news is that students can register to vote at both addresses, as long as they are in different council areas.

While you can only vote once in a General Election, you are allowed to vote in both areas in local elections, provided they are separate councils. 

This gives students more flexibility and more opportunities to make their voices heard, whether they care more about their hometown or their university city.

How Do Students Register to Vote?

Registering to vote is free, quick, and can be done entirely online. Simply visit: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and provide your name, address, date of birth, and National Insurance number.

Don’t wait until the last minute – the deadline to register to vote in the local elections on May 1st 2025 will likely be in early April 2025. If you’re living at university, you should register at your current term-time address to make voting as easy as possible on election day.

Do Students Need ID to Vote?

Since new rules were introduced in 2023, voters in England, Wales, and Scotland now need to show photo ID at polling stations. 

Accepted forms of ID include passports, driving licences, and certain travel cards. If you don’t have any of these, students can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at: www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

It’s important to check this well before polling day to avoid being turned away from the voting booth.

Final Thoughts

Elections are about more than just politics – they’re about your voice, your future, and your community. 

For students, voting in both local and general elections provides a rare chance to shape the world around them – whether that’s cleaner streets, safer nightlife, affordable rent, or climate action.

As May 1st approaches, and with a General Election on the horizon, now is the time for students to register, prepare, and get involved. The decisions made at the ballot box this year could shape your university experience, your career prospects, and your future in the UK for years to come.

Your vote matters – make sure it counts.