National Assembly for Wales

Local Government and Public Services Committee

Town and Community Council Consultation on Electoral Arrangements in Wales

Question 1Although registration is compulsory in Wales, the penalties for non registration are hardly ever used. Should penalties be used and would this encourage more people to register?Chepstow Town Council supports compulsory registration and the use of penalties, but is concerned that access to the register should be restricted to electoral and police use only and that the current practice of enabling the register to be used for commercial purposes should be withdrawn.Question 2What methods could be used to ensure that more people living with their parents, who have moved recently or are living in rented accommodation register?Chepstow Town Council identified that online registration might offer potential benefits for young people. The Town Council also identified that letting agencies/estate agents etc might be encouraged to issue registration information to new tenants.Question 3Will individual registration with personal identification help to increase registration?Will it help to make voting more secure is the personal identification has to be produced before you can vote?Chepstow Town Council recognises that individual registration with personal identification has the potential to help to make voting more secure but is concerned that its introduction might adversely impact on voter turnout, as it may be seen as an additional obstacle to voting. The Town Council also identified that provision would need to be made for voters arriving late at polling stations without personal identification in order that they might nevertheless record their vote.Question 4 Should there be some form of automatic registration as in other countries?If yes, what sources of information could be used to ensure that everyone was automatically registered.Chepstow Town Council supports automatic registration and notes that national insurance records might be used to ensure that everyone was automatically registered.Question 5What methods could be used to encourage more Black and Ethnic Minority people to register?Chepstow Town Council considers that Black and Ethnic Minority people will be best engaged in registering and voting if the candidates for an election and the elected representatives at all levels of government included greater representation from Black and Ethnic Minorities.Question 6Would an all postal vote be workable in Wales? Please give your reasons for your views.Chepstow Town Council does not support an all postal vote in Wales and sees attendance at polling stations as an important community activity.Question 7What forms of electronic voting (e.g. internet, text, at polling stations) could be used in Wales? What could be the benefits/problems of using the methods you have suggested?Chepstow Town Council notes that internet and text voting could be used at polling stations and might appeal to younger voters, however, the Town Council is concerned that a number of more elderly voters might feel disenfranchised and thus it might be necessary to operate any new electronic system in tandem with the current paper system for a period.Question 8Could alternative venues be used as polling stations? (e.g. supermarkets, post offices etc)Chepstow Town Council does not support the use of supermarkets as polling stations and recommends the use of civic premises and/or voters’ own homes.Question 9Why do so few young people in Wales vote?Please give any examples you have come across (leaving out any personal details) Chepstow Town Council considers that many young people are not politically aware and do not feel represented or engaged by politicians. The Town Council also noted that there was a great deal of negative stereotyping of local government and politicians at all levels, in the media.Question 10Are young people given enough information in schools to make an informed decision about how they are going to vote?Chepstow Town Council does not think that young people given enough information in schools to make an informed decision about how they are going to vote.Question 11 Should party politics be taught in schools? If so, how? If not, why not?Chepstow Town Council would support the teaching of party politics in schools and recommends that young people be taught about the democratic structure and political process, and that "mock" elections be held within schools. Question 12Should political parties be involved in informing young people about politics in schools and other youth groups?Chepstow Town Council considers that political parties should be involved in informing young people about politics in schools and other youth groups.Question 13Are there examples of good practice in informing young people about politics in your area? Please tell us about them (leaving out any personal details).No examples.Question 14Is there enough provision for people with disabilities to help with the registration process?If not, what practical things could be done?Chepstow Town Council identified a role for care rs and support staff in assisting with registration.Question 15Is there enough provision for people with disabilities to help with voting? If not, what practical things could be done?The Town Council identified that more might be done by way of home voting and identified that home visits from electoral officers utilising hand held electronic recording devices, similar to those used by the utility companies, might have a role to play.Question 16Should there be statutory standards for the accessibility of registration and voting material and polling stations?Chepstow Town Council considers that there should be statutory standards for the accessibility of registration and voting material and polling stations within reasonable and practical limitations, but noted that in very rural communities a degree of compromise might be required.Question 17What are your views on the use of mobile ballot boxes for people who have difficulty getting to polling stations?Chepstow Town Council supports the use of mobile ballot boxes for people who have difficulty getting to polling stations.Question 18Should polling station managers be required to produce a report similar to that in the Netherlands? Chepstow Town Council considers that polling station managers should be required to produce a report at the end of the poll.Question 19What are your views on the availability of help and advice available bilingually at elections in Wales?Chepstow Town Council offers no response.Question 20What could be done in terms of documents and advice to encourage more BEM people to register and vote?Chepstow Town Council offers no response.Question 21Do you consider the forms and information given about registration and voting to be straightforward and easily understandable?Chepstow Town Council considers the forms and information given about registration and voting to be straightforward and easily understandable.Sandra Bushell
Town Clerk