Don’t “Quick vote” – #slowVOTE
Slow down! Take your time. Make your vote count.
Why | Stats | Competition | Entry Form | Download | One rule
Every year, millions of Nationwide Building Society Members are invited to vote in the Society’s Election. Most don’t.
Some vote in seconds.
Very few take the time to read about the candidates seeking election to the Board of Directors, understand the issues and make an informed choice.
The #slowVOTE is about changing that.
Not by telling you how to vote.
By encouraging you to vote thoughtfully and independently.
Why #slowVOTE?
Voting matters.
But HOW we vote matters too.
Nationwide (like several high profile member-governed organisations) makes it easy to cast a “Quick vote”.
For many Members, that means accepting a Board’s recommendations without taking the opportunity to read the candidates’ election addresses or consider the alternatives.
That’s your choice.
But before you decide, may we suggest you…
Slow down.
Take your time.
Read every resolution
Then decide and VOTE.
But please… DO NOT USE THE QUICK VOTE.
A few extra minutes once a year can help strengthen Member democracy for everyone.
The Stats
Last year (2025), approximately:
🚫 92% of Nationwide Members didn’t vote at all.
The vast majority of Members never take part in choosing who represents them.
⚡ 7% used the “Quick vote”.
The “Quick vote” makes participation easy, but it also makes it easy to vote without first reading every candidates’ election address or considering all of the available choices.
A healthy Member democracy works best when Members make informed decisions.
✅ 1% made up their own mind.
That small group demonstrates exactly what #slowVOTE is encouraging. Not a particular outcome. Just a more thoughtful process.
The #slowVOTE Challenge
Help spread the message.
We’re inviting everyone to create and share original #slowVOTE content.
It could be:
- A short video
- A meme
- A poster
- A photo
- A graphic
- An animation
- A song
- A poem
- A GIF
- A sticker
- Or something completely different.
If it encourages people to vote thoughtfully, and carries the hashtag #slowVOTE, it qualifies.
The competition closes on 15th July 2026 – the date of the Nationwide’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Winners will be informed by email by 22nd July 2026.
Two £100 prizes are up for grabs
🏆 Most Creative
Judged by James Sherwin-Smith – the first Member Nominated Candidate for Election to the Board of Directors at Nationwide Building Society for over 20 years.
The most original, imaginative or impactful piece of #slowVOTE content.
🚀 Most Viral
Awarded to the entry generating the greatest public engagement across social media.
Shares. Likes. Comments. Reposts.
The idea that reaches the most people wins.
How to Enter
It’s easy.
- Create something promoting #slowVOTE (attach some of the #slowVOTE graphics if you want)
- Share it on your favourite social media platform.
- Include #slowVOTE in your post.
- Submit the link using this form –>
Download #slowVOTE graphics
All files available from this publicly shared folder. Use them exactly as they are — or remix them into something entirely new. Creativity is encouraged.
Social media stickers / frames etc.
|  |
| #slowVOTE stickers – Centred image – Cropped for corners | #slowVOTE stickers – Centred image – Cropped for corners |
 |  |
| Instagram picture frames – Landscape – Square – Portrait | Traffic cone + #slowVOTE – Small – Medium – Large |
Print-at-Home Posters
 Download as JPEG | PDF |  Download as JPEG | PDF |  Download as JPEG | PDF |
 Download as JPEG | PDF |  Download as JPEG | PDF |  Download as JPEG | PDF |
Download All 6 Posters as a PDF
Our Only Rule
We’re not asking people to vote for anyone in particular.
We’re asking people to vote well.
That means:
READ. THINK. DECIDE. VOTE.
i.e. #slowVOTE
But please… DO NOT USE THE QUICK VOTE.