We told you. Students drive enrolment surge for Marriage Equality

The Australian Electoral Commission has now confirmed, what NUS anticipated from its coordinated on campus activity, to be a mass youth enrolment. The National Union of Students remained confident that a significant portion of new voters would be young Australians and now we know that of the 98,000 people added to the roll, 65,000 were voters aged 18-24.

“We saw we had a very specific role to play. That was to mobilise young Australians who we know overwhelmingly support marriage equality through hundreds of university stalls nationwide.” Said Ms Johnston.

The National Union of Students worked with campus student associations to run enrol to vote stalls, BBQs and events.

“The last 3 weeks has been dedicated to enrolling thousands of students on the spot to vote ‘yes’ to marriage equality,” Said Johnston “It’s no mistake we’ve been on over 20 different campuses across Australia every single day.”

“This is a great result and testament to the hard work by student groups right across Australia.” Said Ms Johnston.

The National Union of Students targeted on young voters as they are the least likely demographic to vote, despite over 80% supporting marriage equality.

“Young Australians are deeply aware of political issues in Australia, however have been incredibly disillusioned by politics,” Said Ms Johnston, “We saw this in the last election where almost 350,000 young Australians were not enrolled to vote. That’s almost 4 electorates of young people not having a say in the political decisions and direction of our country.”

“This plebiscite never should have gone ahead, it should’ve been a vote through parliament instead of allowing countless LGBTI Australians and their families to be subject to disgusting discrimination.” Said Ms Johnston

“But if there’s one thing to come out of this, Malcolm Turnbull has just ensured tens of thousands of disillusioned young Australians- who face stagnant wages, insecure jobs and are locked out of housing; are now enrolled to vote.”
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students