Accredit as:
The Electoral Commission estimated that 8 million eligible voters will missed out on voting in the general election because they were not properly registered. 4 million eligible voters missed out because they didn’t have Photo ID. And 14 million eligible voters didn't see the point of turning out to vote.
The research shows you are at greater risk of not being able to participate in the democratic process if you are young, a non-UK national, rent your home, have moved recently, live in an economically-disadvantaged community, or are from an ethnic minority.
By becoming a Voter Registration Champion, your organisation can make a difference to democratic participation, and join a non-partisan movement seeking to make sure 300,000 at-risk voters can exercise their right to vote.
Three ways Voter Registration Champions make a difference
Voter registration
Voter ID
Voter turnout
The Voter Registration Champion scheme is an initiative of Citizens UK and is supported by the UK Democracy Fund. By combining our community organising expertise with our experience of creating the Living Wage accreditation scheme, we aim to mobilise a movement of civil society organisations, community groups and employers to make sure everyone can exercise their right to vote.
You’ll get a badge to recognise that you are part of a ground-breaking non-partisan accreditation scheme for organisations that take simple steps to ensure their members can participate in democracy. You’ll get access to a one-stop shop to equip your organisation to register people to vote, educate people about the new Voter ID requirements, and encourage turnout. You’ll make a difference by joining a movement to make sure everyone can exercise their right to vote.
ESTABLISH ORGANISATIONAL BUY-IN: Make sure your organisation is willing to take an active role in registering your people to vote, encourage democratic participation, and fulfil the relevant accreditation criteria.
BUILD A TEAM: As well as getting buy-in from the key decision-makers, you’ll need a named senior contact and a team of people who are willing to do the work – including at least one person to attend an online training with Citizens UK.
WORK OUT A PLAN: Decide how your organisation will go about achieving each of the accreditation criteria, as well as how you will gather the data to demonstrate that you have met the accreditation criteria.
SUBMIT YOUR LICENCE APPLICATION: Send us the information we need to accredit you as a Voter Registration Champion. We will ask you to send us an update each year to renew your accreditation.
CELEBRATE YOUR ACHIEVEMENT!: You’ll be able to use the Voter Registration Champion badge and logo to show your leadership in promoting democratic participation.
The movement is open to all organisations. Citizens UK member organisations and Living Wage employers are particularly encouraged to accredit, but we hope to see organisations across civil society such as faith groups, schools and colleges, and community groups joining the movement. If you are not sure which category to apply for then contact us at voterchampion@citizensuk.org.
Have questions?
What is the Voter Registration Champion scheme?
Watch these short videos by the Deputy Director of Citizens UK to find out what the Voter Registration Scheme is all about and how to sign up.
We want to promote the Voter Registration Champion scheme!
Ambassadors work with us on a plan to publicise the scheme to their networks and identify influential leaders in their network to speak out on the issue.
