Voter ID Public Awareness Campaign
We have teamed up with the Greater London Authority to run a non-party political, impartial, non-election specific campaign to inform Londoners about the changes brought about by the Elections Act – especially the new photo ID requirements to vote.
Photo ID Incoming…
The Elections Act (2022) brings changes to the way we vote and who can vote, most notably the introduction of mandatory photo ID in order to vote. We know that 61% of people are not aware of the forthcoming photo ID requirement in order to vote and 11% do not hold a form of approved photo ID specified in the Elections Act (GLA/ YouGov poll, July – August 2022).
Hence, we have teamed up with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and a diverse coalition of 200+ civil society organisations, education institutions and London borough electoral services to deliver an impartial public awareness campaign on the new voting system changes. The campaign aims to inform all eligible Londoners, particularly under-registered and under-represented Londoners, about these unprecedented changes, and to make sure every eligible Londoner can continue to access their civic and democratic rights.
The unprecedented, impartial campaign, which is coordinated with the Electoral Commission’s nation-wide campaign, will include communication across press, radio and social media, and information and educational materials, including accessible materials for Deaf and disabled Londoners and translations in 10 community languages.
The animation below outlines the changes brought about by the Elections Act (2022).
Community Engagement Events
Shout Out UK teamed up with the3million, a non-partisan grassroots organisation for EU citizens in the UK, to organise 8 in-person EU community events and 1 online event with the aim to inform EU Londoners about changes brought about by the Elections Act, including the removal of rights for some Londoners after the May 2024 London elections.
Our community film showcases these in person events and how Londoners have been participating in our democracy.
Testimonials
Matteo Bergamini, CEO/ Founder, Shout Out UK: “We are living through one of the most significant changes in how we exercise our democratic right to vote in Britain’s history, which makes Political Literacy and democratic awareness of how you register to vote, and then vote, more important now than ever before! This is why Shout Out UK is teaming up with the Greater London Authority to ensure that all Londoners understand the changes coming and to ensure no one, no matter who they are, is excluded from our democracy.”
Mihai Calin Bica, Campaigning and Policy Coordinator, Roma Support Group: “European Roma communities have made the UK their home for a few decades now. Despite that, we are still missing on opportunities to contribute to the British democratic process. The Voter ID Awareness Campaign brings forward information on historical changes to the voting process. We are supporting this campaign as we are embarking on a new journey to empower Roma communities to have their voices heard in democratic processes and fully contribute to British society.”
Older Portuguese attendee: “I have lived in the UK for 30 years and I’ve never had to change the way that I vote up until now.”
Rensa Gaunt, Communications and Media Officer, Inclusion London: “Inclusion London is supporting the Voter ID Awareness Campaign because it’s vital that Deaf and Disabled Londoners are heard in our elections. Many people don’t have photo ID, or don’t know that they can use their Freedom Pass, Disabled Person’s Bus Pass or Blue Badge photocard. We support the campaign to reach everyone in our communities and give them the support they need to be ready to vote.”
Tazkia, Teacher at Eastbury Community School: “Shout Out UK offered a great chance to speak to our Year 13 students about ensuring they register to vote and how changes in Voter ID legislation would affect them. The assembly included a walk-through on how to register to vote as well as highlighting the acceptable forms of ID. It was an informative session which also reiterated the key message that the voices of young people do matter and that they should be heard and that they should definitely register to vote.”
Voter ID - Twitter Spaces
On February 20 2023, Shout Out UK hosted its first Twitter Spaces with a panel of organisations, including IRMO, Patchwork Foundation, Faiths Forum London and Advice 4 Renters. The discussion focussed on educating Londoners about the changes made to voting rights as a result of the Elections Act, and encourage them to make their voices heard and get voter ID.
Listen to the full recording below.
