Making Every Voice Count: How to use Innovative Approaches to Boost Voter Registration

Today marks an important day in the UK: National Voter Registration Day. It's a calendar moment organised by My Life My Say to raise awareness of the deadline for individuals to register to vote ahead of the local elections.*

Voter registration is a cornerstone of democracy

In a year defined by elections, we are reminded that voter registration is more than just a bureaucratic process; it's a cornerstone of democracy. Yet in the UK there are 8 million people not registered to vote. Recognising this, in collaboration with the UK Democracy Fund and other civic organisations, Purpose Union has been involved in numerous activities working to change this statistic.

Our approach has been multifaceted, focusing on innovative solutions to streamline the registration process, increase effectiveness, and encourage broader participation from various organisations. We recognise the need to harness both technology and innovation in order to secure results. Today we wanted to showcase two of the campaigns we’ve been working on.

Technology and innovation secure results

Firstly, we've worked with Citizens UK, the same organisation behind the successful launch of the Living Wage Foundation, on the Voter Registration Champions scheme. This scheme accredits organisations for promoting voter registration, educating on voter ID requirements, and actively driving voter turnout on election day. Notably, the campaign has garnered support and promotion from influential groups such as the British Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses.

Drawing inspiration from across the pond, in the United States, where corporate involvement in voter registration is commonplace, it's encouraging to see organisations engaging more vocally in this civic duty. In the UK there's often a more reserved attitude towards discussing politics, but campaigns like these aim to dismantle barriers and foster voter engagement across all communities, faiths, and employment and education sectors.

Another piece of activity we've spearheaded is the implementation of auto-enrolment in universities. This campaign encourages students to register to vote through an administrative process, ensuring that when a student enrols at university, their information is automatically shared with their local Electoral Registration Officer. The impact of this has been profound, with student voter registration numbers soaring from 13% to 75%. This approach is particularly crucial for student demographics, who often face challenges in registering due to being young, renting and changing addresses frequently.

Civic responsibility is fundamental for a functioning democracy

Civic responsibility isn't always at the forefront of everyday conversations, but it's a fundamental aspect of a functioning democracy. That's why initiatives like these, seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, are so vital.

2024 presents a unique opportunity for heightened awareness of voter registration. As we head towards a general election, let’s all work together to boost voter registration into common place. Let’s invest in innovative campaigns that drive change and let’s make voter registration more accessible to all.

Purpose Union works with organisations to drive change, maximising their impact through innovative partnerships and creative campaigns. If you’d like to hear more about how we could help your organisation, please get in touch.

*If you're eligible to vote in the upcoming May local elections, please take a moment to ensure you're registered here.