Although the electoral register is 85 per cent to 87 per cent complete, research published by the Electoral Commission suggests that around million people in the UK who could be registered to vote are not. These groups include young people, renters and students.
At the 2010 general election voter turnout was around 65.1 per cent, up by around 5 per cent on the 2005 general election. Whilst this figure on the whole is quite positive, there were certain areas of the country where voter turnout was as low as 47 per cent. In addition to this the Police and Crime Commissioner elections of 2012 saw a voter turnout of 15 per cent, a record low.
Since the last general election the government has taken steps to increase levels of voter registration and engagement. The Electoral and Administration Act 2013 set out measures to move from a Household Registration system to an Individual Registration system by 2015.
The Democratic Engagement Programme, run by the Cabinet Office, creates a framework to increase voter participation. The programme is designed to motivate, engage and inform those not on the electoral register and to also embed democratic engagement in communities as early as possible.
With elections being held over the next 18 months this timely and important policy-led event will provide delegates with an opportunity to explore, examine, debate and discuss the following issues:
- Why is democratic engagement so important?
- The Individual Registration System
- Empowering communities to bring about change
- Providing a voice for everyone
- Engaging young people to increase future registration
- Supporting a healthy democracy
- Attracting electoral candidates from across the socio-economic spectrum
- Putting transparency at the heart of democracy
- Making local democracy work
- Reducing the voting age
- Capturing the votes of the ‘missing million'
Why Attend
By attending this event delegate will gain a deeper understanding of the latest policy and practice designed to increase democratic engagement and voter registration.
Who should Attend
This event will be attended by those working to increase democratic engagement.
Supporters & Contributors
