MCM Comic Con survey reveals that young geeks have the power to swing local elections

01 May 2024 - London: A new survey conducted by MCM Comic Con organisers ReedPop of its audience of pop and geek culture enthusiasts has revealed that the average geek is 33% more likely to vote than the average Brit in England’s local elections on Thursday 2 May.

Of the overall survey respondents, 69% intend to vote in the upcoming local elections, while 65%of respondents aged 18-34 intend to do the same. Comparatively, Electoral Commission data from the last local elections in England in 2021 revealed a turnout of only 35.9%.

Political engagement among geeks goes beyond this week’s local elections. 77% of respondents to ReedPop’s survey stated that they intend to vote in the next UK general elections, while turnout at the most recent general elections in 2019 sat at only 66%.

Furthermore, 85% of young Comic Con attendees aged 18-34 are registered to vote, compared to just 66% of Brits in the same age bracket.

Key Survey Findings:

• 69% of the overall survey intends to vote in the upcoming local elections, including 65% of 18-34-year-olds.
• 88% of those surveyed are registered to vote in the UK
• 77% plan to vote in the next UK general election
• 85% of respondents aged 18-34 said they were registered to vote, and 74% said they intended to vote in the next general election
• ReedPop survey of 100 MCM Comic Con attendees, conducted April 2024
• Electoral Commission - 2022 Data
• British Election Study into age and voting behaviour at the 2019 General Election
• 2021 Census
• House of Commons library "Turnout at elections" document - Section 3, page 19

Estimates based on Electoral Commission data and the 2021 Census suggest that 4.3 million young people aged 18-34 are not registered to vote.

In 2021, local election turnout was as low as 14.6% in some councils, with a peak of 60% in Orrell.

For this reason, ReedPop has partnered with UpVote, a non-partisan collective driving for more young people to vote in the UK. UpVote will be in attendance at MCM Comic Con, which takes place 24-26 May 2024 at London’s ExCeL.

ReedPop’s survey also found that 53% of those surveyed would be more likely to vote if they were able to do so online. Young people are the most eager for an update to the voting process, as of this figure, 87% were between the ages of 18-34.

Teresa Heitor, Event Director at ReedPop

“We have long been aware that our audience is passionate about societal issues and politics, but it’s great to see just how engaged they are politically and how many intend to make the most of their right to vote. However, there’s still room for even more young people, whether they’re planning to attend MCM Comic Con or not, to exercise their democratic right to vote this year.”

Amy Williams, Director - Games & Sport at UpVote

“UpVote is proud to be partnering with MCM Comic Con to drive people to vote, and we will be partnering with many more iconic brands this year to engage young people across the country. The more people that engage their democratic right to vote, the stronger that democracy is, and young people more than any other group have reason to be invested in the future.”

--- END ---

Sources

• ReedPop survey of 100 MCM Comic Con attendees, conducted April 2024
• Electoral Commission - 2022 Data
• British Election Study into age and voting behaviour at the 2019 General Election
• 2021 Census
• House of Commons library "Turnout at elections" document - Section 3, page 19