3.1 Why is registering to vote important?

In the UK if you don’t register to vote then you can’t vote in elections, yet not everyone is equally likely to be on the electoral register.

Young people are much less likely to be registered than older age groups. 

In 2023 only 60% of 18–19 year-olds were registered to vote compared to 96% of people aged 65+.

Beyond age, there are other patterns too – with some communities being consistently less likely to appear on the electoral register.

• People living in rented housing are far less likely to be registered than homeowners, with 95% of home owners being registered, compared to 65% of private renters. 
• People from ethnic minority backgrounds are also less likely to be registered. 87% of white eligible voters are registered, compared to 80% of Asian eligible voters, 72% of Black eligible voters, 72% of eligible voters with mixed ethnicities, and 71% of eligible voters from other ethnicities. 
• Disabled people and migrants with voting rights may face added challenges navigating the system. For example, 87% of eligible voters from the UK and Republic of Ireland are registered, compared to 66% from the Commonwealth and European Union.

Often, this is down to practical barriers. Young people are more likely to move often, live in shared housing, or assume they’re already registered. Others may not realise they’re eligible, or find the process confusing or inaccessible.

That’s why voter registration support matters. Helping young people understand how and when to register – and making it feel simple, relevant and achievable – is one of the most important things you can do.

Why registering matters 

• Being registered is a crucial first step for engaging in democratic processes – you can’t vote if you’re not registered. 
• Registration also helps with things like:
  • Your credit rating – being on the electoral roll helps lenders confirm your identity and address, which improves your credit score.
  • Applying for a mortgage – being on the electoral register shows stability and makes checks quicker, boosting your chances of approval.
  • Being called for jury duty – the register is the official list used to randomly select people for jury service.