Some students have admitted they aren’t aware of upcoming local elections in the city amid a push to get people to sign up to vote.

Young people are given the opportunity to register at both their home address and their university address which allows them to vote at whatever location that is easiest for them for the elections which will be on 2 May.

Registering to vote usually takes about five minutes, and once you are registered it means you can vote in any UK election or referendum that you are eligible to vote in.

The electoral commission found that young people, students and those who have recently moved are the least likely groups to be registered.

Joanna Shepley, a student at the University of Sheffield, said: “Personally as a student, I haven’t seen much encouragement from the university to register to vote.

“There has been no reminders or even awareness that voting is happening. It was actually a flatmate who encouraged me to sign up to vote.

“I think that voting is an important part of our country and it is important to have our opinions heard. I don’t think it is something that we should let pass up by especially within University.”

In a survey conducted by the electoral commission it was found that 70% of 18 to 34 year olds registered to vote in 2022 compared to 97% of 65 year olds and up.

Imisi Ishola, a student at the University of Sheffield, said: ” I forgot to be honest, I haven’t really heard much about it. I would love to vote but I feel like there’s not much awareness for a younger student vote.”

Grace Blain, another student at the University of Sheffield, said: “I think that so many people, and especially women, have lost their lives for the right to vote. We have no right to complain about decisions being made if we haven’t used our voice where we can.”

The government’s drive to introduce Individual Electoral Registration and online registrations gives students the option to register where they choose and in less than three minutes.