Chloe Smith: Are you registered to vote?

Chloe Smith, Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, today launched a new campaign aimed at getting as many people as possible on the electoral register. The campaign is particularly targeted at groups of people who have been identified as being under-represented on the electoral register, including BME communities, young people aged 16-24 and people in social housing.

Organisations, neighbourhoods and communities have been asked to come up with ideas to get people involved in the democratic process locally and nationally, with the best ideas being awarded funding from the new Innovation Fund. Funding is also being made available to Local Authorities who have solid and creative ideas to get as many people onto the electoral register as possible in their area. Total funding in this area will be £4.2 million.

Speaking at the Local Government Association Annual Conference in Manchester Chloe Smith is expected to say:

“I’m really excited to be launching this new campaign, with the aim of getting as many people as possible to exercise their right to vote. If you aren’t on the register, you can’t vote, simple as that, but it’s also an important part of being a member of society. “

“Previous generations have campaigned, fought and died to preserve and improve our democracy. We all share responsibility to encourage everyone entitled to vote to get registered to do so. This means not only the Government, but also civil society, campaigners, politicians and parties.”

Simon Woolley, Director of Operation Black Vote said:

“Civic society; schools, hospitals, public transport and so much more work best when we all have a say about how they are run. Registering to vote is a key part of that process. In an ever changing world we need to find new ways to ensure everyone is registered to vote, has a voice, and is able to improve our society.”

For the first time people will also be able to register online. IER will improve the voting system to make it safer and simpler to register to vote

Operation Black Vote hopes that many local organisations with innovative ideas to get BME communities registered to vote will apply. We also hope we’ll be in a position to offer advice and support to those working with BME communities in this area.

Simon Woolley

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-government-campaign-to-get-people...