#NoVoteNoVoice

Date: 15 September 2020
Author: Cathy Potter, Head of Electoral Services and Elections

It’s London Voter Registration Week – a week to encourage everyone to register to vote.

One in three young Londoners and a disproportionate percentage of ethnic minorities are not registered to vote. Commonwealth and EU Londoners are also under-registered, despite commonwealth citizens being able to vote in all elections and EU citizens currently being able to vote in local elections.

In the 2017 general election, people aged between 18 and 24 made up the largest proportion of age groups who did not vote. In contrast, people over 70 years old are seen as the most likely to vote. Young people have a responsibility to take control of their future and be part of their community by having a say and voting. For London’s democracy to work for everyone, every voice must be heard. Registering to vote is one of the easiest ways to participate in this democracy!

The 2020 London Mayor and Assembly elections were postponed until May 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Registering to vote will mean you can vote in the London Mayoral and Assembly. These elections take place every 4 years and by voting you will be having a say on who represents your local views.

So, play your part this London Voter Registration Week and tell your friends, children, neighbours, colleagues and relatives to make sure their voices are heard by registering to vote.

You will need to fill in your basic information and provide your National Insurance Number (this can be found on your payslip or on letters from the Government about benefits, tax or pensions). You will then be asked if you want to apply for a postal vote or if you would prefer to vote in person. It takes less than 5 minutes.

Make sure you’re registered to the right address – if you’ve moved to a new house since you last registered, update your information. If you have changed your name or nationality, you will also need to re-register with your new details. You can register to vote from the age of 16 although you will not be eligible to vote until your 18^th birthday.