Voting Campaign Targets Mobiles

1824_website_ter_to_voteThe Mayor of London and the Department of Constitutional Affairs have launched a campaign  to increase the number of 18-24 year olds who are registered to vote, ahead of the local elections in May.
The campaign promotes the 1824collective, which targets Britains youth by talking to them on their own terms and encouraging them to register to vote in the May elections. UK urban artist Estelle and MTV News presenter Tim Kash have joined the 1824collective to get the message out that young people should make the effort to vote.
The 1824collective is using mobile to connect with its audience by providing a simple text-to-register option. Voters text VOTE plus their name, house number and full postcode to 86222 to receive a registration form. The mobile system is being delivered by mobile agency Incentivated, which is using its iris mobile platform to manage the text application process.
The 1824collective has also used a group of young urban artists to record a special music  track and video in support of the campaign. These can be downloaded onto mobile phones at the 1824collective website,  or by sending VOTETONE1 to 86222 for the realtone.
Young people are the future generation of leaders and decision makers, and it is important that they feel that their opinions are being heard says Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London. There are 5 million 18 to 24 year olds in the UK. If they vote they can gain a powerful voice that should and needs to be recognised. The 1824 campaign is about encouraging young people to use the ballot box. The message is get registered and get voting. To make the process as easy as possible, we are once again using  mobile phone technology.
Elections Minister Harriet Harman adds:
There are 5 million 18 to 24 year olds in the UK, which collectively is a powerful voice that should and needs to be recognised. Together, their vote would have a huge impact on the way in which we are all governed, from Parliament and City Hall, to the Town Hall. I hope this campaign will encourage young people to use the ballot box.
For Incentivated, managing director Jonathan Bass says:
Mobile makes it extremely easy for people to register for their vote. Its a platform that this generation has grown up with and is comfortable using. We are fully behind this campaign and encourage every 18-24 year old to make a difference by voting at this years elections.
The Mayor of London has used Incentivated to deliver a series of mobile campaigns, including Recycle for London, the Safer Travel at Night minicab service, and the State of London Debate conference.