The Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill is currently working it’s way through the Welsh Assembly.  Among other things, the bill will lower the minimum voting age for Assembly elections to 16.

I was fortunate enough to be able to be asked to serve as an independent adviser to the Assembly’s Finance Committee in their scrutiny of the proposed legislation.

Their report has just been published.  Recommendations included:

• greater sensitivity of the costs that might fall on local authorities
• exploring the use of a single electoral register for Welsh local government and Assembly elections
• assessing the potential cost savings from automatic voter registration
• the routine publication of annual expenditure on electoral registration in Wales
• a review of the fees paid to Returning Officers
• civil society such as schools and youth organisations being included on boards that are established to promote voter awareness, and involving them so that the lowering of the franchise becomes a national celebration.
• further information should be provided about proposed changes to the Electoral Commission in Wales.