The Greater London Authority (GLA), in collaboration with Shout Out UK, London borough electoral services and a coalition of civil society organisations, has launched an impartial public awareness campaign seeking to aid under-represented and under-registered Londoners, including Black Londoners, access their right to vote. The campaign also enjoys support from faith leaders and community groups.
The campaign launch is against the backdrop of the fact that: London has one of the lowest voter registration rates in England, with analysis from the GLA showing that close to one in five people (18 per cent) from a Black, South Asian or Minority Ethnic background are at risk of losing their democratic voice because they are not registered to vote, compared to just five per cent of White British Londoners who are in the same situation.
Who can register to vote in London and how
The campaign aims to let those from under-registered and under-represented groups, including Black Londoners, know about the need for eligible voters to register as a first step. This includes the option to register anonymously for those concerned about their name and address appearing on the electoral register.
Accepted forms of Voter ID GLA London
It will also highlight the new requirement to show an accepted form of photo ID to vote in person. This can be a UK, EU and Commonwealth passport; a UK and EU Driving Licence, a Blue Badge, Oyster 60+ photocard or a Freedom Pass. Almost one in four Black Londoners (27 per cent) are currently unaware of the new need for photo ID to vote in person.
Steps to getting the Voter Authority Certificates in London
The campaign will also advise on steps to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate for Londoners who do not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID. Just one in five Londoners have heard of the free Voter Authority Certificates (20 per cent), and only four per cent have applied for one. Black Londoners are by far the most likely ethnic group to have either applied already or have a plan to apply.
The campaign will reach Black Londoners across a variety of engagement methods and channels including social media, traditional media, grassroots community engagement and through a WhatsApp Democracy chatbot (+44 7908 820 136). This includes accessible materials for Deaf and disabled Londoners, with resources available in Easy Read format and 16 community languages, including British Sign Language.
Pastor Marjorie Esomowei
Pastor Marjorie Esomowei
Minister and Pastor Marjorie Esomowei - Co-Founder of Triumphant Church International emphasised that: “Voting is a method to reaffirm our civil rights and shape policies on issues like education, healthcare, housing and justice, and much more. Black Londoners are amongst those that are under-registered and under-represented, with almost one in four Black Londoners currently unaware of the need for photo ID to vote in person. This means too many Black Londoners are at risk of losing the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.
We are proud to support the GLA Voter ID awareness campaign to ensure that Black Londoners have access to correct and reliable information so that we can increase confidence, literacy and action in this important matter. It’s really important that people take heed of this and act because, no vote, no voice.”
There are three simple steps to getting heard:
- Register to vote
- Check if you have an accepted form of photo voter ID
- If not, apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate
Further information is available at the GLA Democracy Hub: https://registertovote.london/