With the deadline for voter registration fast approaching, Migrants Organise are launching a collaborative project to support EU nationals, migrants and refugee communities to engage with the 2017 General Election. ‘Promote the Migrant Vote’ provides resources, information and a national framework for mobilisation to ensure the experiences of our members facing uncertainty, fear and isolation are on the national agenda at this election, and that their interests are properly represented.
All migrants and refugees, including those without eligibility to vote in these elections can use the website to organise events and contribute to the democratic process. The website contains a list of existing events, downloadable resources and an action toolkit that provides ideas and information. You can get further information and support by contacting us through the Get Involved tab on this website.
Nearly 16 million people who were eligible to vote did not do so in the 2015 General Election. Many millions of them are not registered to vote or need support to exercise their democratic rights. Migrants communities can struggle to participate due to language barriers and a lack of familiarity with the democratic process. Others find elections to be an alienating and disempowering experience as the issues migrants do not appear in the national conversation. This absence of representation can translate into fear, frustration, anger and apathy.
We can make these elections different.
There is much we can do at election to make our voices heard. Immigration will feature as a central issue, and it is crucial that the experiences of migrant communities are part of the national debate and addressed by the parties running in the elections. Together we can act to end the marginalisation of our communities, grow our power and express our demands for freedom, fairness and democracy.
For more information or get involved please visit the Promote the Vote website: www.promotethevote.org.uk or email voters@migrantsorganise.org
