Constitution of Your Vote Matters
1. Name
The organisation shall be known as Your Vote Matters (“the Movement”).
2. Status
Your Vote Matters is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan civic movement.
It is not affiliated with, nor does it support or oppose, any political party, candidate, or ideology.
3. Purpose
The purpose of the Movement is to:
- Encourage and increase voter participation across the United Kingdom
- Promote awareness and understanding of democratic processes
- Address voter apathy and barriers to participation
- Support a democratic system that reflects the voices of as many eligible citizens as possible
4. Principles
The Movement shall operate in accordance with the following principles:
a. Neutrality:
We do not support or oppose any political party, candidate, or ideology. Our focus is participation in the democratic process.
b. Independence:
We operate independently of government, political organisations, and campaign groups. All activity is guided by the objective of increasing voter turnout.
c. Accessibility & Inclusion:
We aim to engage all eligible voters, with particular attention to groups historically underrepresented in elections. We work to make participation easier to understand and access.
d. Transparency:
We are open about our purpose, methods, and outputs. Any data collected is anonymised, handled responsibly, and used only to understand and improve voter engagement.
e. Integrity:
Our communications are factual, balanced, and nonmisleading. We follow recognised standards such as those set by the Market Research Society and used by organisations like Ipsos MORI.
f. Respect
Participation is always voluntary. We respect the privacy, views, and choices of all individuals, whether or not they choose to vote.
5. Activities
To achieve its purpose, the Movement may:
- Conduct independent, neutral surveys and research
- Publish anonymised findings via shared platforms
- Share insights with other organisations conducting voter research
- Promote awareness of how, when, and where to vote
- Encourage informed participation without influencing political choice
6. Data Protection and Privacy
- No personally identifiable information shall be collected in surveys unless explicitly stated and consented to
- All data shall be anonymised at the point of collection
- Data shall be used only for research and engagement purposes
- The Movement shall comply with all applicable data protection laws, including UK GDPR
7. Non-Partisanship
The Movement shall not:
- Campaign for or against any political party, policy, or candidate
- Accept funding or support that compromises its neutrality
- Use its platform to influence voting choices
8. Governance
- The Movement shall be led by a group of volunteers or appointed representatives
- Decisions shall be made collectively and in line with the Movement’s principles
- Governance structures shall remain transparent and accountable
9. Funding
- The Movement shall operate on a not-for-profit basis
- Any funding or donations shall be used solely to support its purpose
- Sources of funding shall be transparent and must not compromise independence
10. Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by consensus or majority agreement of the governing group, provided that any changes remain consistent with the Movement’s core principles of neutrality, independence, and public benefit.
11. Dissolution
In the event of dissolution, any remaining resources shall be used or transferred in a manner consistent with the Movement’s purpose and not for private gain.
12. Commitment
Your Vote Matters is committed to strengthening democratic participation by encouraging every eligible citizen to engage in the electoral process ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to be heard.