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Service voters

How to encourage members of the Armed Forces and their families to register to vote

This section is aimed at Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and suggests methods of encouraging service personnel and their families to register to vote.

Research shows that service personnel, particularly those based abroad, are less likely to register to vote. The Electoral Commission works closely with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to encourage service personnel to register.

Unit Registration Officers (UROs) have been appointed in military units across all three Armed Forces. In support of the annual canvass, UROs arrange Service Electoral Registration Days within units, giving presentations and handing out registration leaflets. Many EROs work closely with UROs to arrange and attend these days; this involvement is greatly appreciated by UROs and service personnel.

Don't forget to look at our toolbox and case studies for resources and real life examples on promoting service voter awareness

Things to do

Help to arrange or attend a Service Electoral Registration Day at your local barracks - give a presentation, answer questions, put up posters and hand out registration forms.
Talk to UROs about giving an article or interview to service media, such as British Forces Broadcasting Service, Garrison radio, service magazines or regional newspapers.
Talk to Hive Information Officers in units these officers provide information and support to the families of service personnel.

Things to think about

If you have a military unit (barracks or base) in your area, make contact with the URO early and often, remember that the URO role tends to rotate quite frequently as personnel are deployed.
Service voter declarations (registrations) are valid for three years, but it is obviously important for the service personnel to update EROs when their address changes. Make sure you emphasise this and provide copies of the Electoral Commissions Change of Circumstances form.
Many service personnel are based overseas or live in the UK but may be posted abroad at short notice. This means that many of them vote by post or by proxy. Make sure you explain these voting methods fully, including the timescales and forms that need to be filled out in order to apply for them.
Don't forget the families (spouses and civil partners) of service personnel can also register as service voters if they wish, or as ordinary voters.

Estimated timeline: Organising a Service Electoral Registration Day may mean contacting the URO two months before. Allow a day for the event. Other activitys such as giving articles or interviews would require two months notice.

Estimated budget: Free or low cost, using Electoral Commission posters and leaflets and facilities provided by the unit.

Further information

Visit the MoDs website. The website includes further links to websites for each of the three armed services, plus pages about electoral registration for service personnel.