Students turned out in unusually high numbers at a university-based polling station for last week’s local election.

More than 1,500 voters arrived at The Edge polling station on the University of Sheffield’s Endcliffe site on 7 May, including over 700 in the student-only voting room – far exceeding typical turnout figures.

Throughout the day, long queues formed inside The Edge as students and local residents waited to cast their ballots in what election workers described as one of the busiest days they’ve ever had.

Lawrie Maddem, the presiding officer at The Edge, said the day had run smoothly despite the high turnout.

“It’s been a great day, there’s been basically no issues,” he said. “Sadly, some students didn’t register in time and had to be turned away, but it needs to be done.”

Mr Maddem explained that polling station staff were employed through Sheffield City Council and faced a demanding schedule on election day.

“Our day started at 5am and it probably won’t end until about 11.30pm,” he said. “After the polls close, we still have to take the ballot boxes to be counted and verified at the Institute of Sport.”

Election workers noted a particularly sharp increase in student participation compared with previous local elections.

Howard Thompson, who worked at the polling station throughout the day, said political campaigning appeared to be a major talking point among voters waiting in the queues.

“There’s been an unusually high amount of students that came to vote today,” he said. “In the queue I heard them talking about certain parties doing unwelcome campaigning, like posting leaflets into their accommodation. This might’ve been what motivated them to have their say.”

However, not every student who arrived at the polling station was able to vote. Some were turned away because they had either failed to register before the deadline or had registered at a different address.

James Ladbrook, 18, was among those unable to cast a ballot. He said “I was very frustrated at being turned away. I felt like my voice couldn’t be heard and I wished the university had given me more guidance about how to register.”

The high turnout at The Edge reflects growing political engagement among Sheffield’s student population, with election staff suggesting this year’s election generated significantly more interest than usual on campus.