National Assembly for Wales

Local Government and Public Services Committee

Summary of questions for Electoral Arrangements in Wales - A Discussion Document

Question 1
Although 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?

Penalties are already in existence. The threat of using the penalty only works on a minority of electors as most know we do not take action - only use it as a threat. I do not believe it encourages people to register. Higher penalties may have more of an impact and may encourage more authorities to take action against those who persistently do not register.

Question 2
What methods could be used to ensure that more people living with their parents, who have moved recently or are living in rented accommodation register?

Electors who are living with parents (assume you’re referring to teenagers) should be included on the annual canvass form normally completed by parents.

For people who have recently moved (private or rented accommodation) - electoral rolling reg. forms should be dispatched with all council tax packs for electors who have moved. Lists of movements can be sent to electoral reg. sections by council tax departments to ensure electors have re-registered. Electors should be made aware through regular information bulletins being published in local newspapers, TV advertising how important it is for all to register.

Question 3
Will individual registration with personal identification help to increase registration?

Not in the first instance. However, it may encourage electors to take ownership and responsibility for themselves when they find they cannot receive other benefits from not being registered. Plus it will help eradicate those instances where people are disenfranchised because the 'head of the household’ does not return the electoral form.

Will it help to make voting more secure is the personal identification has to be produced before you can vote?

Yes.

Question 4
Should there be some form of automatic registration as in other countries?

Yes

If yes,

What sources of information could be used to ensure that everyone was automatically registered.

Use the same resources as other EU countries and improve, if necessary. Who will compile civil register or national citizens register?

Question 5
What methods could be used to encourage more Black and Ethnic Minority people to register?

Use forms in relevant language, even languages from countries that are ineligible to register so that they know what is going on. Education to encourage all eligible citizens to register and acknowledge that everyday activities affect everyone - registering and voting is relevant to all and necessary. Target specific BME groups nationally and locally.

Question 6
Would an all postal vote be workable in Wales?

Yes. However, would the electorate have faith in service with all the bad publicity of late? Some electors would probably be against this because of the bad publicity and also because of their lack of faith in the postal service.

Please give your reasons for your views.

Electors would not be tied to one day and certain hours for voting. There would be no difficulty with access of polling stations for disabled, hard of hearing, sight, etc. The elector could conduct their vote in secret at home. Observers could be invited to the opening of postal votes to allow them to view the security arrangements conducted at this function.

Question 7
What forms of electronic voting (e.g. internet, text, at polling stations) could be used in Wales?

Internet, electronic at polling stations, early voting at public places (shops, libraries, etc), week before election day and personal visits at residential homes. Text voting could also work provided that security concerns could be overcome.

What could be the benefits/problems of using the methods you have suggested?

Benefit - increase in turnout if you provide convenient ways to vote. Internet for those who were too busy/lazy/unable to visit polling stations, electronic at polling stations or for week before elections in public places, the RO could identify those who have voted early, if conducted electronically. Postal voting could remain for electors who did not have access to internet. Security no. and registration no. for each elector needs to be sent in a separate mail drop. The count would be much easier and quicker to conduct and the results are likely to be more accurate.

Problems - Electors need faith in which ever system(s) used - Facility to go to count and view procedure - there may be too many electors wanting this facility.

Question 8
Could alternative venues be used as polling stations? (e.g. supermarkets, post offices etc)

If electronic voting is allowed, supermarkets, libraries - any public venue - would encourage electors to vote and would show electors we wanted them to engage in democracy and decision making. More and more electors are getting familiar with electronic machinery, whereas elections can be infrequent and the way elections they are conducted is unfamiliar to some electors who do not understand the full process and may be put off by the protocol.

Question 9
Why do so few young people in Wales vote?

They do not associate voting and politics being relevant to them. They don’t understand that local politics affects them. They do not think that their vote will make a difference.

Please give any examples you have come across (leaving out any personal details)

Discussions held with electors who say they do not vote are unaware what decisions are made the affect them, by whom and if they do not like decisions made by politicians they can change power by voting an alternative person into power. One young woman who when being asked if she would vote for her local councillor replied that it didn’t apply to her because she didn’t live in a council house. This demonstrates a lack of knowledge around what councils do and how they affect citizens.

Question 10
Are young people given enough information in schools to make an informed decision abut how they are going to vote?

Not unless ALL students are given educational lessons in general studies and teachers encourage local politicians (AM, PM and local councillors) to visit schools giving talks on what their role covers. If all above are from the same party other parties should be encouraged to visit. Not sure that they are given enough information and doubt that it is applied consistently across all schools. Plus citizenship education forms a part of PSHE and therefore has to compete alongside sex education etc. It should be a stand alone element as in England.

Question 11
Should party politics be taught in schools?

So long as all parties are given equal status.

If so, how?

By schools encouraging candidates from all parties to visit school and discuss their politics.

If not, why not?

Question 12
Should political parties be involved in informing young people about politics in schools and other youth groups? See 10/11 above.

Question 13
Are there examples of good practice in informing young people about politics in your area? Yes

Please tell us about them (leaving out any personal details).

West Mon School has a good citizenship programme and initiatives are run by the local authority to raise awareness of how the council operates and of the electoral process. However, it is often difficult to get schools on board even when willing and free resources are available from the local authority.

Question 14
Is there enough provision for people with disabilities to help with the registration process?

No set provision for this service although the offer is made to supply electoral forms in larger fonts

If not, what practical things could be done?

Encourage electors to telephone and ask for assistance or visit offices to seek assistance from staff. Use telephone/internet registration facility to register.

Question 15
Is there enough provision for people with disabilities to help with voting?

There is provision in the form of tactile voting devices, magnifiers, large print ballot papers, the use of companions and assistance by presiding officers. Training is provided in this authority area for polling staff around techniques for assisting those with special needs or learning difficulties. The majority of polling stations are wheelchair accessible and induction loops are used where they are available. Polling station accessibility information is provided on all poll cards to help voters with disabilities determine whether they would wish to attend in person or vote by post or proxy.

If not, what practical things could be done? Lengthen timetable from close of nominations to day of election. This would enable election staff to have time to visit OAP complexes/ residential homes and assist electors whether they are disabled or not to vote and put their ballot paper into ballot box and not post box where there is no guarantee of delivery to office.

Question 16
Should there be statutory standards for the accessibility of registration and voting material and polling stations?

Yes. However, there must be discretion where RO are not able to facilitate. The statutory guidance should be 'as far as possible or practicable’.

Question 17
What are your views on the use of mobile ballot boxes for people who have difficulty getting to polling stations?

Good - however, there are few staff resources available for this - timetable needs lengthening. See 15 above.

Question 18
Should polling station managers be required to produce a report similar to that in the Netherlands?

Yes. We do ask PO to submit and we act on comments where able.

Question 19
What are your views on the availability of help and advice available bilingually at elections in Wales?

We provide all stationery used at polling stations bi-lingually. I do not have enough experienced staff, at present, who speak Welsh to provide cover at all stations and it could alienate English only speaking staff who may feel excluded. I am not against this provision in future but do not feel it to be essential in this area.

Question 20
What could be done in terms of documents and advice to encourage more BME people to register and vote?

Survey area and identify languages needed to be provided to cover these electors. Encourage them to assist with compiling leaflets that would encourage more BME voters.

Question 21
Do you consider the forms and information given about registration and voting to be straightforward and easily understandable?

As much as they can be but the legislation is very complicated and contradictory at times and many voters do not understand it and cannot understand why they cannot vote at a polling station when they have not returned their postal vote or why on the day of election, they cannot vote for a loved one who is unwell.