Voter Turnout Amongst Black And Minority Ethnic Voters

A MORI survey released today conducted among Black and Minority Ethnic residents on behalf of The Electoral Commission (EC) reveals that whilst Black and minority ethnic voters were considerably less likely to have voted than White groups at the 2005 general election, there was also a real difference between the different ethnic communities.

Indians (67%), Pakistani (70%) and Bangladeshis (76%) were all more likely to have claimed to have voted than White voters (62%). Black Africans (54%) or Caribbeans (61%) were less likely to claim to vote, and only 40% of mixed race voters claimed to have voted, whilst other minority groups averaged 46%.

The research also explores reasons for non-voting among ethnic minority communities in May 2005, and suggests that non-voting is not just due to 'apathy', as those from minority communities are just as likely to be interested in politics as the population as a whole. Rather, personal attitudes towards voting provided greater motivation to turn out than any sense of individual or community 'duty'. There is also a strong association between being contacted by a political party, and turning out to vote.

For the full report, please go to the Electoral Commission website: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/templates/search/document.cfm/13883

Technical Details

MORI interviewed 1,220, face to face, in home interviews with BME respondents between 6th May and 4th July 2005. Data are weighed according to age, gender, work status, ethnicity and ethnic penetration to the known profile of BME groups in Britain.