Archived decisions

1. Do you think that polling day should be:

· a weekday

· a Saturday

· a Sunday, or

· take place over both Saturday and Sunday?

Please tell us why.

Comments: There is no strong evidence base to support a move away from the current arrangements. Whilst the paper puts forward the argument of convenience and the potential link to turnout it recognises there is no clear evidence to suggest that weekend voting will increase turnout. The consultation paper provides arguments to the contrary and also identifies a number of significant issues that will have to be addessed to enable weekend voting. It is not clear that the significant extra costs involved provide good value for money.

2. Who would be affected by changing the voting day to a weekend and how?

Comments: There would be significant impacts for local authorities responsible for organising elections. The recruitment of polling staff and availability of suitable polling venues are likely to pose significant challenges for the administration of weekend elections, particularly elections held over 2 days.

3. Do you think that greater access to advance voting in polling stations should be made available alongside weekend voting? Please explain why.

Comments: No, the option of postal voting is already available for voters who are unable or do not wish to attend a polling station. Advance voting will also increase costs and is also likely to pose recruitment of polling staff and availability of polling station issues.

4. Do you think that greater access to remote voting (whether through traditional

postal voting or by electronic means) should be made available alongside weekend

voting?

Should such arrangements be explored even if polling day were not moved to the weekend? Please explain why.

Comments:

The key issue to address with remote voting, postal or electronic, is that of security. It makes sense to explore the opportunities for remote electronic voting. When exploring this issue though one of the key criteria should be equity so that arrangements put in place are available to the whole electorate at the same time.

5. What do you perceive to be the benefits and the drawbacks of remote e-voting?

Comments: Potential benefits are increasing accessibility. Any mechanisms though must ensure security being able to clearly demonstrate that the system is secure and accurate and commands the full confidence of the electorate. Not being able to do so runs the risk of reducing confidence and increasing voter apathy.

6. Should the government pilot weekend voting before introducing it across the UK?

Comments: No. A stronger case needs to be made before piloting is considered.

7. What other issues may arise if the polling day is moved to the weekend? What are

the issues for:

· resources?

· polling station venues?

· security?

· administration of the election?

Comments:
These and other issues and the significant implications for them are discussed in the consultation paper. We have concerns about the significant additional costs associated with these proposals and whether they deliver value for money. In terms of logistics we are also concerned about the implications of recruiting staff to administer weekend elections, particularly if they are held over two days and the availability of suitable polling locations. In rural areas church and village halls, often used for elections, are more likely to be in alternative use at weekends. For elections held over two days security will also be a significant issue. Addressing all of these issues is also likey to increase costs. In rural areas the availability of transport at weekends could also be a significant issue.

8. If weekend voting is introduced for local government elections, do you agree that the normal time for holding these elections should be moved from the first Thursday in May to the second weekend in May?

If not, please explain which weekend you believe it would be most appropriate for these elections to be held and why.

Comments:
The date would have to be moved for the reasons set out in the consultation paper. However, the FA Cup Final often takes place on the 2^nd weekend in May which could have a significant impact on turnout, as would any similar major events.

9. Are you aware of any barriers which prevent individuals from voting? What are the issues and how can they be overcome?

Comments: In Hampshire County Council's experience the issue of turnout is not fundamentally affected by election arrangements and we have some experience to suggest that weekend voting is not popular. The fundamental issue is about feeling engaged with the political process and the value of voting. Too many people feel that their individual vote will make little difference both locally and nationally. The way to tackle this issue is to have more powerful local councils and parliamentarians.

Full name

Hampshire County Council

Job title or capacity in which you are responding to this consultation exercise (e.g. member of the public etc.)

County Council

Date

September 2008

Company name/organisation
(if applicable):

Address

The Castle

Winchester

Postcode

SO23 8ZB

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