POTENTIAL first-time voters at Wiltshire College got an insight into the polling process ahead of May’s General Election with a workshop on the big ballot.

More than 100 students from campuses at Lackham and Trowbridge took part in the workshops on electoral registration changes and the overall voting process.

The lessons were organised by Bite the Ballot, a non-party specific group formed after the last Westminster poll to engage young people in the voting process.

Grace Ashman, a community engagement officer, said: “We go into places with young people and deliver what is called the Basis session. We play two interactive games and use a video to try and get young people to start thinking about politics and the matters affecting them.

“A lot of young people feel let down by the Government, that they are not making a lot of decisions for them, but not voting makes it worse.”

In the 2010 election, 55 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds were registered to vote. Of those, only 44 per cent cast their vote, which was the lowest turnout in any age bracket.

By contrast, 75 per cent of voters over 65 made the effort.

Courtney Sweet, 18, studying animal management at Lackham, said: “It made me realise that not enough young people are voting.

“Young people should try voting, so our opinions and views are made more important. It will make our needs more apparent and get more people involved.”

The new registration system means the onus is on individuals. Even those aged 16 and 17, not yet eligible to vote, can now register online.

To mark Voter Registration Day on February 5, an event involving young representatives of the major parties will be held at The Arc Theatre on the Trowbridge campus.