10 East London organisations seek 'Voter Registration Champion' status

A homelessness charity, one of Europe’s largest mosques, a migrant empowerment group, two schools and a training provider are among ten organisations that committed to achieve ‘Voter Registration Champion’ status at the East London Citizens Organisation (TELCO) 25th Anniversary Assembly on 29th November 2023.

Having been a trailblazer of community organising and the Living Wage campaign, TELCO pledged to blaze a trail on voter registration ahead of the next General Election, by getting at least 25 of their member organisations accredited as Voter Registration Champions ahead of Voter Registration Week in March 2024.

The UK faces a crisis in democratic participation, with estimates from the Electoral Commission suggesting that 8 million people may miss out on voting at the General Election because they are not properly registered.  Another 4 million people may miss out because they don’t have the right photo ID.

Citizens UK is on a mission to make sure that 300,000 at-risk voters in our communities are registered to vote and equipped to participate in the next general election. The Voter Registration Champions scheme which gives a badge of respect and recognition to those organisations willing to take responsibility for getting their people election-ready, using the same system of voluntary accreditation that has been so successful for the Living Wage campaign.

Citizens UK is hoping to attract organisations of all types across the country to sign up as Voter Registration Champions, and is especially keen to target employers, universities, schools and colleges, and faith and community organisations.

Every accredited Voter Registration Champion is required to commit to:

• help everyone in their organisation register to vote;
• educate their people on photo ID requirements;
• make sure everyone knows the election date and is encouraged to turn out to vote on election day