Gamers more likely to vote in local elections than the average Brit

The average geek in the UK is 33% more likely to vote than the average Brit in England’s 2024 local elections this week.

A new survey conducted by MCM Comic Con organisers ReedPop of 100 of its audience of pop and geek culture enthusiasts has found that ‘young geeks have the power to swing local elections’.

Of the overall survey respondents, 69% intend to vote in today’s 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%.

A press release stated that ‘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.

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 from May 24th to 26th 2024 at London’s ExCeL.

Regarding the image above, last year The Legend of Zelda Cosplayers UK targeted a Guinness World Record at MCM Comic Con London for the largest gathering of people dressed as Zelda characters.

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, said: “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, added: “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.”

The news comes shortly after MCM Comic Con and EGX announced they will co-locate at ExCeL London this year to form ‘the UK’s biggest pop culture weekend’.

Dom Sacco

Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.

As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.