Are You Registered to Vote?

A new report from the Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog has suggested that at least six million people in Great Britain were not registered to vote in December 2010.

The number of people who have not registered has grown from the 2000 canvass by an estimated 2.1 million. Results from April 2011 canvas indicate the number not registerd to vote could be as high as 8.5 million. 

The report found:

• 44% of those not registered to vote mistakenly believe that they are.
• 56% of people living in private rented homes are registered, compared with 88% for homeowners
• 56% of 19-24 year olds are registered, compared with 94% of those aged 65+
• 77% of people from BME communities are registered (compared with 86% of white people)
• Only 14% of people who moved house after the 2010 annual canvass had registered at their new address by April 2011

Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, said:

"This should be of concern for everyone who cares about democracy. There are many reasons behind the decline in registration – including changes to our population and increasing disengagement with traditional party politics. But we know almost half of those not registered mistakenly think they are, and more needs to be done to address this."

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