Business groups, employers, civil society organisations and community groups are all combining forces to encourage people to boost voter turnout, by backing a new Voter Registration Champions scheme from Citizens UK. Employees will be alerted of the deadline to register to vote, changes to rules on voter ID, and encouraged to vote on polling day. Businesses will also be encouraged to share information with those outside their organisation and within their network.

Business groups the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation for Small Business, and the Better Business Act will be encouraging their members, collectively representing nearly 300,000 businesses across the UK, to sign up to the Voter Registration Champion Scheme and get the support they need to help prepare their employees to vote. Other private sector employers will also be amplifying the campaign to staff.

Alongside encouraging employees to vote, organisations will be actively promoting and supporting National Voter Registration Day through various channels, including social media campaigns, community outreach events, and informational resources. The push draws on trends in the US which has seen companies playing a more prominent role on “get out the voter” campaigns.

Roughly 8 million people are not registered to vote in the UK. National Voter Registration Day serves as a reminder for citizens across the UK to ensure they are registered to vote in upcoming elections.

Jonathan Cox, Deputy Director at Citizens UK, the charity which runs the Voter Registration Champions scheme, said:

“We’re delighted that the Federation of Small Businesses, the British Chambers of Commerce and Better Business Act are encouraging their members to accredit as Voter Registration Champions. Businesses are joining a growing movement of civil society organisations and employers who hope to register a million at-risk voters before the general election in the autumn.   The simple act of reminding your employees to register to vote, informing them of the new Voter ID rules, and encouraging them to vote on polling day will make a huge difference.”

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Whether it’s planning, skills or economic development – decisions made by local politicians really do matter to businesses across the UK. That’s why the British Chambers of Commerce is happy to support this campaign to raise awareness about voter registration, ID rules and turnout. Registering online is quick and simple, but the clock is ticking to the deadline. With a presence in 52 communities across the country, our Chamber network has a unique voice and powerful influence. We’re spreading the word– make sure you register to vote, and then use that vote to have your say.”

Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses, who are also Ambassadors for the Voter Registration Champion initiative said:

 “We’re happy to get behind this campaign to encourage more people to participate in their democratic right to vote in the local elections. At FSB, we’re a unique and influential platform which reaches many of the UK’s 5.5 million small business owners and the self-employed. Our members are an important part of the economic and community fabric of the country, collectively employing over 16 million people, and are a crucial cohort of the voting population, recognised by all political parties. The political decisions made at local and national levels will have a direct impact on small businesses. Our members are extremely busy people so we’re reminding them to make sure they’re registered to vote by 16 April for local elections and to also encourage their employees to do so.”

Chris Smallwood, Owner of Anchor Removals and Storage in Greater Manchester, the first employer to accredit as a Voter Registration Champion, said:

“I’m proud that our company is the first employer in the UK to be accredited as a Voter Registration Champion. It is so important to have as high a turnout as possible for any election because politics affects everyone and every part of life.  We all have a duty to support, encourage and educate our citizens into voting and to understand why it is so important.  So as an employer we will do our bit to help – by promoting non-partisan information from Citizens UK about how to register to vote and the photo ID they will need at the polling station.  We’ll even let our staff take time out to vote on polling day if they need it – and if they are scheduled to be working away that day we’ll make sure they know how to get a postal vote. These are small steps that can make a big difference, and we hope that lots of other employers will follow our example.”