Major cities across the country face the highest levels of unregistered voters, specifically in areas of the city that are either the most deprived or ethnically diverse
More than six million eligible voters are not signed up to vote in British elections, sparking calls for an automatic registration scheme, campaigners say.
Major cities across the country face the highest levels of unregistered voters, specifically in areas of the city that are either the most deprived or ethnically diverse. Homeowners, older people and those living in rural areas are more likely to be on the electoral roll.
One in six voters are not registered to vote in bigger cities, whereas just one in 10 voters in rural areas in Yorkshire or Wales are not on the electoral roll, analysis by Unlock Democracy found.
More than 15% of eligible residents, especially young people, ethnic minority voters and renters, are not on the electoral register in cities such as London, Birmingham and Manchester, the campaign group said.
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Ministers are under pressure to introduce an Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) to make sure all eligible Brits are signed up to vote in elections. In a letter handed to the PM on Tuesday, which was organised by Unlock Democracy, around two dozen MPs called for an end to the UK’s “Victorian era voter registration system”.
“It’s time to register every voter,” it said. “The Government has the opportunity to bring voter registration into the modern era.”
It called for an automatic system to be included in elections legislation, which is expected to be introduced later on in this Parliament. An Elections Bill would also include lowering the voting age to 16 years – a Labour manifesto pledge.
Last year’s General Election saw turnout at just 59.7%. Only 60% of 18- and 19-year-olds are registered to vote in England, compared to 96% of over-65s, according to the Electoral Commission. And just 72% of Black and mixed-race citizens are registered, compared to 87% of white citizens, it said.
Many also face the barrier of not having a Voter ID. The Mirror launched a campaign last year(2024) to target voters who face being excluded at the ballot box.
New photo ID rules led to thousands being turned away at the 2023 local elections, the first time the Tory rules came into effect.
Tom Brake, Director of Unlock Democracy and former MP said: “There is a real problem for democracy when the voices of millions of people are unheard: it deepens the already record levels of disengagement and disillusionment with politics. Fortunately, a tried and tested solution – Automatic Voter Registration – can ride to the rescue.”
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