Could Snapchat decide the election? Filter reaches out to encourage young adults to vote
SNAPCHAT could help decide the result of the upcoming general election after launching a new filter to encourage young voters to head to the ballot boxes.
Young adults between 18 and 25 are the least likely to vote in the election
Young voters have just days before the final deadline to register to vote in the election, which closes on May 22 ahead of the June 8 vote.
It was recently claimed young voters between 18 and 25 could drastically swing the election result if they turn up to their polling stations next month.
And many have claimed if 30 per cent more young adults vote, the Tories could potentially lose power.
Now the Electoral Commission has launched a Snapchat filter to remind young people to sign up to vote in the historic election.
Theresa May called a snap general election for June 8
Craig Westwood, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “Snapchat has a huge audience amongst young adults, a group we know are less likely to be registered to vote.
"By working with them we can get this important message across in a new way and help ensure fewer people lose the chance to cast their vote.”
Electoral Commission research shows that young people are typically less likely to be registered than older voters, with only 69 per cent of 18 to 34-year olds correctly registered in Great Britain compared to 96 per cent of those aged 65 and over.
Snapchat is used by 10 million people a day in the UK
Twitter user have demonstrated the snapchat filter online
Snapchat has a huge audience amongst young adults, a group we know are less likely to be registered to vote.
Snapchat is one of the most widely used social media platforms among young people - with more than 10 million people using Snapchat daily in the UK.
The EC geofilter will be available across the UK - and carries a voter registration message to encourage engagement and conversation among young users.
But the filter has received a mixed response, with some calling it a “gimmick” while others praise the Electoral Commission for their out of the box idea.
Bridie Pearson-Jones tweeted: “In 2015 some charities put ads on tinder for registering to vote and it was v effective! Don't see why this would be different.”
Emma Yeomans said: “Thing about tinder and snapchat is that they go to everyone; FB algorithms & twitter bubble are an impediment on here.”
Jim Waterson added: “I'm a real cynic when it comes to effectiveness of most youth engagement / internet politics stuff but this will reach millions, easy.”
But David Byers tweeted: “Screams room of old men, all trying to work out what 'young people' do and how to reach them.”
The Snapchat filter was launched by the Electoral Commission
Social media is expected to play a vital role in the snap election.
An effective social media strategy has proven to make a huge difference in political campaigns - as evident in the recent US election which saw Donald Trump’s campaign focus heavily on his emotive tweets.
This week, Labour plan to underpin leader Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign with targeted social media, boosted by online celebrity endorsements with everyone from grime MC JME to Ronnie O’Sullivan tweeted their support.
The party’s joint national elections coordinator Andrew Gwynne said: “This is probably the first election where social media will probably have a significant impact.”
Anyone not sure if they are already registered should check with their local authority. They can visit www.yourvotematters.co.uk to find contact details.