Methodist Church announced as Voter Registration Champion

The Methodist Church has been announced as an ambassador for a new initiative to champion voter registration and encourage participation in elections, alongside its partners in the Joint Public Issues Team: the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland. The Voter Registration Champions scheme, set up by the campaigning group Citizens UK, aims to ensure everyone eligible can exercise their right to vote at the forthcoming General Election.

The Electoral Commission has warned that many millions of voters may not participate at the next General Election, 8 million because they fail to register to vote in time; 4 million who do not have appropriate Photo ID; and 14 million who do not feel motivated to turn out to vote on the election day itself. Those at greatest risk of not being able to participate in the democratic process are the young, non-UK nationals, those who live in an economically-disadvantaged community or who are from an ethnic minority.

The Voter Registration Champions scheme has been set up to encourage democratic participation in a non-partisan way. The Methodist Church joined the scheme as part of its commitment to be a justice-seeking church. It will be encouraging local churches to sign up, and help as many people as possible to register to vote and be equipped to participate in future elections.

Revd Gill Newton and Kerry Scarlett, President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference have given the initiative their support. “As a justice-seeking church, we understand acting for justice and transformation as part of our discipleship; of our becoming more Christ-like. We know that in our communities, there are people who do not know that, in a democratic process, voting is a way to make their voices heard, and to join in shaping a flourishing society. Or, they may not know how to register to vote. That’s why the Methodist Church is supporting the Voter Registration Champions initiative, and encouraging local churches to get involved in helping to overcome barriers to people’s participation in our political processes. We urge everyone to ‘love, pray and vote’ this election year.”

Thomas Hart, Youth President of the Methodist Church, spoke of the importance of everyone who is eligible to register to vote doing so, but particularly those who are young. “The Methodist Church believes that God’s love knows no bounds and is inclusive of all, as we are all made in the image of God. But we live in a world where injustices and prejudice are often prevalent. Therefore it is right that the Methodist Church is supporting the Voter Registration Champions initiative, to encourage as many people to register to vote and to make their democratic voice heard regardless of age, gender, race or belief. In so many parts of our world, the right to vote is denied, so as the Youth President, I would particularly encourage our young people to register, and then to exercise their democratic right to vote. Young people have the greatest stake in the future, so our engagement in the democratic process is vital.”

Local churches are invited to become accredited as Voter Registration Champions and help people to register to vote. https://www.voterchampion.org.uk/

You can register to vote at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote