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

Prisoners to vote in the UK?

Prisoners to vote in the UK? A cross-party Committee (to be be precise, The Joint Committee on the Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill), has just published its report on prisoner voting.  It recommends that: 'the Government introduce a Bill at the start of the 2014–15 session, which should provide that all prisoners serving sentences of 12 months or less should…Read more Prisoners to vote in the UK?

A new blog that I am editing….

The University of East Anglia has recently launched a new politics blog called Eastminster.....and I am editing it. During the last week we have had posts from my excellent colleagues on issues as diverse as Nelson Mandela, e-voting in the UK, interest in politics under the Coalition government and the effects of anti-terrorism legislation. If…Read more A new blog that I am editing….

John Bercow to consider the case for internet voting in the UK. Is it a good idea?

E-voting is back on the political agenda in the UK.  The Guardian is reporting that: 'The Commons Speaker, John Bercow, is establishing a rare independent commission on digital democracy, including the prospect of introducing electronic voting at elections.' You might be surprised to know that internet voting has been used in the UK before.  Between…Read more John Bercow to consider the case for internet voting in the UK. Is it a good idea?

UEA to host political leadership and statecraft workshop

International financial austerity has had dramatic consequences for political leaders around the world, in and out of office. For many it has undermined their political capital as they campaign for (re)election with public deficits and stagnant economies. The University of East Anglia is hosting the annual PSA Workshop on Political Leadership on 17 January 2014…Read more UEA to host political leadership and statecraft workshop

Dangers remain with electoral registration changes: Norwich and Cambridge could be amongst the most affected areas

The government is planning to introduce individual electoral registration (IER) in June 2014.  A new report and data released from the Electoral Commission suggests its implementation still poses a risk for British democracy.My earlier research on the likely effects of IER suggested that this would:improve confidence in elections, butresult in a considerable decline in levels of…Read more Dangers remain with electoral registration changes: Norwich and Cambridge could be amongst the most affected areas

Electoral registration changes hit a set-back: A new way forward

There was bad news for British democracy on Wednesday.  The new system of electoral registration being introduced in Britain next year hit a set-back.Soon, every citizen in Britain will need to register individually and provide key personal identifiers in order to register.  When this was introduced in Northern Ireland there was a significant decline in…Read more Electoral registration changes hit a set-back: A new way forward

Individual electoral registration: a car crash on the horizon for British democracy?

I have been writing and blogging about the individual electoral registration a lot over the past few two years or so.  The legislation has now been passed and we edge nearer and nearer to it becoming a reality.The Democratic Audit have published the latest of my blogs today, which considers the implementation stages of the…Read more Individual electoral registration: a car crash on the horizon for British democracy?