We should have a system of automatic electoral registration in Britain to combat the crisis of millions of people missing off the electoral roll. That was one of our core messages last week when we sent a report on elections in Britain to the government. Most polling stations turned away would be voters at the…Read more Automatic re-registration in Britain?
elections
Why we should keep postal voting in the UK
Richard Mawrey QC claimed yesterday that postal voting was 'not viable' in the UK yesterday. I written a blog post for Eastminster and the Democratic Audit which has been published today, offering a reply, and explaining why we should not be so hasty to scrap it. Similar arguments were raised today in separate posts from Stephen…Read more Why we should keep postal voting in the UK
Labour announces good news for British elections?
Voter registration is a problem in the UK. Approximately one in five citizens are not on the electoral register. When it is reported that only 65% of registered people voted at the 2010 general election, we forget those people who are not on the register in the first place.The Guardian is today reporting that Labour…Read more Labour announces good news for British elections?
Five things that you may (not?) know about voter registration on National Voter Registration Day
Bite The Ballot have made Wednesday 5th February 2014 National Voter Registration Day. This is a great initiative. There have been citizen-led projects to increase voter registration in the USA for decades. The UK is only now catching onto the importance of this topic. Here are five things you might may not know about voter…Read more Five things that you may (not?) know about voter registration on National Voter Registration Day
A blueprint for fixing elections? The Presidential Commission on Election Administration publishes its report
The US Presidential Commission on Election Administration has today published its report on how long-running problems with American elections can be fixed. It has claimed that: 'problems that hinder the efficient administration of elections are both identifiable and solvable. The whole report can be downloaded here. Here were my suggestions: https://www.supportthevoter.gov/2013/10/24/what-the-presidential-commission-can-learn-from-the-united-kingdom-about-improving-elections/
Voter ID in Britain? A Note of Caution from Academic Research
Voter ID in Britain is being put forward to fix the problem of voter fraud. Toby James claims that there is little evidence of widespread voter fraud. Rather, research shows that voter identification requirements might restrict turnout unevenly across British society and is the policy option that is likely to be considered strategically by the…Read more Voter ID in Britain? A Note of Caution from Academic Research
How could the PCC elections have been better run?
The UK is having its first elections for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) tomorrow, (Thursday 15th November). Citizens will have the chance to elect an official who will have the powers to:appoint and dismiss chief constablesset out a five-year police and crime plan determine local policing prioritiesTeresa May has claimed that they will 'be a voice…Read more How could the PCC elections have been better run?
Is online registration a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Online voter registration was in the news last week.In the US state of Washington citizens will be able to register to vote via Facebook. This will use a piece of software developed specially by Facebook and Microsoft.Meanwhile, in Britain, it was reported that Harrow has become the first local authority to allow online re-registration for those already on…Read more Is online registration a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Electoral musical chairs comes to Wales – will voters and politicians lose out?
Electoral law is in the news again in the UK, and this time it's Wales' turn. Radical plans to reduce the number of constituencies in Wales were published by the Boundary Commission this week. But what do they mean for Wales? What is happening? One of the first Bills introduced to the UK Parliament by…Read more Electoral musical chairs comes to Wales – will voters and politicians lose out?
The Impact of Individual Registration on British Elections
The Coalition government proposes to fast-track individual electoral registration (IER) for British elections before the 2015 general election. The proposals are currently being considered by the Select Committee on Political and Constitutional Reform. My evidence to the Select Committee on Political and Constitutional Reform is now available online to download here.The evidence draws from published…Read more The Impact of Individual Registration on British Elections
Toby S. James 