PROJECT

Empowering Under-Registered Groups: Understanding Democracy and Voter ID requirements

This project empowers under-registered groups by increasing their understanding of democracy and voter ID requirements, boosting their confidence, and encouraging participation in the democratic process.

Voting is seen as a ‘rite of passage’ that enables adults to participate in politics by expressing their views on the choices and decisions that Members of Parliament make on their behalf. However, many eligible voters face barriers to participating in this democratic process. Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are one of the communities currently under-registered to vote in elections. Notably, Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities were twice as likely not to have had the right identification at the last election.

To address this, we are delivering a short project that aims to increase under-registered groups’ understanding of democracy and voter ID requirements and boost their confidence and likelihood of engaging in the democratic process. The project will run from December 2024 until 31 March 2025.

A older Black man sitting next to a Black woman. Both looking at the camera. The woman is smiling and holding an open book.
Young asian girl wearing a denim jacket, standing in the train on the London underground, looking at the camera. She has a slight smile.

We have co-produced the following resources for Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic voluntary organisations to use in their local community outreach.

Easy-to-Read Guides and infographics

Easy-to-read guides and infographics on democracy and voter ID requirements. The easy-to-read guides are available in six community languages.

Punjabi, Polish,  Urdu, Bengali, Gujurati, Arabic

Video Series

Short video series featuring community voices explaining the importance of voting and the registration process.

Print and Digital Media

Posters and digital media for social media channels and for print tailored to diverse linguistic and cultural groups.

To access the resources, simply enter your details. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Proxy voting is when you ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. You have to tell your proxy who you want to vote for. 

The person will receive a proxy poll card telling them where and when to vote on your behalf.

Your proxy will need to go to your polling station to cast your vote and also need to bring their photo ID. 

You can apply for a proxy to vote on your behalf for a specific date, period or permanently. Read more about proxy voting on the electoral commission and government websites.

Yes, government issued documents including eVisas can be used as an accepted form of ID. 

Check out the other accepted forms of ID here.

People with illnesses that affect their cognitive function, such as dementia can vote, and many successfully do! But later stages of the illness may affect mental cognition, in this case the Electoral Commission says: 

 “A lack of mental capacity is not a legal incapacity to vote. Persons who meet the other registration qualifications are eligible for registration regardless of their mental capacity.” 

This means that even if someone lacks capacity, they are still legally allowed to decide whether or how to vote.

Find out more about voting rights for people with dementia here, and for other mental health and cognitive issues as well as dementia here 

Yes, you can still register to vote if you don't have a fixed address. 

Fill out this form, to register to vote if you haven’t got a fixed or permanent address 

Refugee, or asylum status does not give you the right to vote in England. To be able to vote you must have been granted British or Irish Citizenship, or Citizenship of a qualifying Commonwealth or EU country.

Students are eligible to register at both a family address, and a term-time address. At local elections this means you can vote in two areas, but you can only vote in one location for a General Election.

Registering at both addresses may be a good idea, just in case you are not sure where you will be at the next general election. 

Find out more about registering to vote as a student here