Boris Johnson: if even the prime minister who introduced voter ID can forget his, do we need a rethink?

The UK has new voter identification laws. The Prime Minister who introduced the law himself did not have the right identification and was initially turned away at the polling station this week. At a forthcoming general election, there are likely to be many citizens who won't be able to vote. Those most affected include those…Read more Boris Johnson: if even the prime minister who introduced voter ID can forget his, do we need a rethink?

The effects of wars: lessons from the war in Ukraine

What have been the consequences of the war in Ukraine?What are the consequences of wars in general?While public interest in the war in Ukraine may have decreased, the effects have been much deeper and potentially longer lasting around the world than is widely understood. They go beyond strategic power relations and one off 'exogenous shocks',…Read more The effects of wars: lessons from the war in Ukraine

The funding for elections in the UK is fragmented, complex and in need of reform

It's election season in much of England and Wales. Behind the scenes, electoral officials will have been investing enormous amount of hard work and time preparing for the polls. Do they have sufficient resources? A new policy report, just published by International IDEA, shows how elections are funded across the UK. The system for funding…Read more The funding for elections in the UK is fragmented, complex and in need of reform

Supporting the Global Network for Securing Electoral Integrity

A Global Network for Securing Electoral Integrity (GNSEI) was launched in March 2023 'to inspire and inform action to advance electoral integrity in the face of critical threats to democracy.' During March 2024, the network convened in Stockholm, Sweden at International IDEA. It was an honour to present research on electoral management body independence and…Read more Supporting the Global Network for Securing Electoral Integrity

Half the world will vote in 2024, but how many elections will be fair?

This blog post with Holly Ann Garnett, was first published on The Conversation. This year has been widely proclaimed to be the year of elections, with national elections expected in at least 64 countries. This means that half of the world’s population will have the opportunity to change their government, choose their representatives and indirectly…Read more Half the world will vote in 2024, but how many elections will be fair?

An alternative to rational choice theory (and constructivism)

Rational choice theory has been the go-to theory for scholars of elections for many years. It sees voters, parties and other actors as rational, self-interested actors. They are involved in cost-benefit calculations to maximise their 'utility' (usually votes or the policies they want). It could be said that the theory is a bit like Marmite. Some love it,…Read more An alternative to rational choice theory (and constructivism)

Safeguarding Election Management Bodies in the Age of Democratic Recession

There is strong evidence that we have entered into a democratic recession – where the quality of democracy is being reversed around the world. As the organisations responsible for running elections, election management bodies (EMBs) are at the fulcrum of the challenge of protecting democracy. This special issue on ‘Safeguarding Election Management Bodies in the…Read more Safeguarding Election Management Bodies in the Age of Democratic Recession

International Electoral Awards: Elections During Emergencies and Crises Book Project Wins

It was a great honor to have received an International Electoral Award at the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies Symposium and Awards Ceremony. A team of Erik Asplund, Alistair Clark, Holly Ann Garnett were awarded the International Institutional Engagement Award. It was for our ESRC funded project on the impact of covid-19 on electoral integrity. We ran the project live…Read more International Electoral Awards: Elections During Emergencies and Crises Book Project Wins