Improving Voter Registration: A Guide to Introducing Automatic Voter Registration

James, Toby S., Bernal, Paul and Berry, Ellen (2025) Improving Voter Registration: A Guide to Introducing Automatic Voter Registration. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Voter registration is crucial for ensuring that citizens can smoothly cast their vote on an election day. It is already compulsory to register to vote in the UK, but millions of people are missing from the electoral rolls – and are therefore unable to vote on the day of an election. Taking part in our elections by voting is an essential step in democratic and civic inclusion. The Government noted in their manifesto that, “To encourage participation in our democracy, Labour will improve voter registration”. The government’s blueprint for modern digital government also sets out a vision to improve public services through the use of technology and improved data. Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) is the technological, data-led solution, that the Government can introduce to address democratic inequality and create a system fit for the 21st century. AVR would involve giving electoral registration officers (EROs) the power to register electors when they have reliable and accurate information about them – without citizens having to act. A fully Automatic Voter Registration system would be the most effective way of improving the completeness of the electoral register. Assisted Voter Registration, which involves prompting citizens to register when accessing other government services, should be used to supplement AVR to ensure the registers are up to date and amended when required. At the same time, steps should be undertaken to create a single centralised electoral register to maximise the benefits of data for political equality, government efficiency and public service. AVR is a sensible, technical solution to a long-term problem in our democracy. Evidence from democracies around the world – where automated registration is the norm – show that it is effective at improving the accuracy and completeness of the register, and that it is cost effective (costs and savings are explored further below). AVR also has the benefit of being popular – YouGov polling shows that 81% of people support it. This report explains what Automatic Voter Registration and Assisted Voter Registration are and provides a roadmap for implementation.

Item Type:	Book
Uncontrolled Keywords:	elections,democracy,electoral integrity,voting,voter registration
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Law
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Policy & Politics Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Political, Social and International Studies Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Media, Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	06 Mar 2025 14:30
Last Modified:	06 Mar 2025 14:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98707
DOI:

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