Voter Registration: We need a registration revolution – it’s time the missing millions were heard.

• Statement from the Electoral Reform Society for immediate release, 12^th April 2019. 
• For more information, quotes, or to arrange an interview, contact mediaoffice@electoral-reform.org.uk / 07794728820

Commenting on Labour’s announcement they will support automatic voter registration, Dr Jess Garland, Director, Policy and Research, Electoral Reform Society said:

“This is a welcome step in the right direction. Far from being radical, automatic registration is the common right across advanced democracies. All parties need to be looking at how to modernise our democracy when so many millions feel unheard and excluded.

“We need a registration revolution – steps to ensure that registration isn’t a lottery but is instead encouraged at every stage of interaction with official bodies, from sorting pensions to getting a driving license or benefits. It’s time the ‘missing millions’ were heard.”

ENDS

The Electoral Reform Society want to see reforms to ensure as many people are signed up to vote as possible:

• A ‘motor voter’ law so citizens can register to vote whenever they are in contact with government – from getting a driving license to sorting out their benefits or pension
• Trialling same-day registration so you can sign up on election day. After all, the heat of an election campaign is when people get most interested in politics.
• An online service to find out if you are registered
• Drawing boundaries on the basis of the total population of eligible voters – rather than just those who are already signed up