Agenda item

A report of the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer was presented to inform the Corporate Affairs and Audit Committee of proposed changes to the electoral system that may be introduced as part of the Elections Bill that was currently being considered by Parliament. The report also identified possible implications for the voting public, candidates and electoral administrators.

On Monday 5 July 2021, the UK Government introduced the Elections Bill to the House of Commons.  The bill introduced new legislation that proposed changes to the UK electoral system.  The legislation, entitled the Elections Bill, contained measures that affected:

• Elections and the way we vote.
• Campaigning and the rules on campaign spending and funding.
• Parliamentary oversight of the Electoral Commission.

Changes in the Bill would apply to UK Parliamentary Elections, Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in England and Wales, and all Local Elections in England including Mayoral elections and the Tees Valley Mayor Elections.

The Bill sought to improve the security, accessibility and transparency of elections and campaigning.  The changes will need to be well planned, with implementation phased, and properly funded, to ensure that electoral administrators, and others involved in running elections, can implement the measures as intended.   The Bill was currently at committee stage in the House of Commons and was expected to receive Royal Assent in May 2022.

The changes proposed to the following areas were detailed in the submitted report:

• Voter Identification.
• Absent Vote Applications.
• Proxy Vote Applications.
• Changes to the rights of EU Citizens to vote.
• Voter Accessibility.
• Preventing Undue Influence.
• Overseas Voting.
• Changes to Mayoral and PCC Voting System.

One of the key implications for Local Authorities with small resources was the Voter Identification proposals.  If a voter did not have identification they could apply for a voter card from Government in advance of an Election, or a temporary card from the Local Authority up until 5.00 pm on the evening prior to an election.  This could potentially cause pressure on the current Electoral Team of four staff.   It was highlighted that Middlesbrough had a large student population and some might use this as a way to get free identification, not solely as a means to vote, and this could apply to other residents as well. 

Political parties and campaigners would be banned from handling postal votes.  Constituents would have to return postal votes themselves rather than relying on the above groups to do that on their behalf.  This measure was to improve security and prevent allegations of fraud and misuse of postal votes.

Another major change impacting on Middlesbrough would be a different voting system for the Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner.  Previously Supplementary Voting had been used for both types of election, however this would be changed to the First Past The Post system.  Whilst this would make election planning and counting simpler for Officers, there would be implications for candidates and the likelihood of getting elected. 

It had not yet been identified how Local Authorities would be funded to implement the new legislation.  Whilst there had been some discussion regarding using the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, this had not been confirmed.

From a planning perspective an Election Project Management Board was in place to consider the issues and would start to meet regular from May 2022 in advance of the next planned elections.  Other implications that would be considered would be the impact on Polling Stations of voters waiting to have their Identification checked and additional training for Polling Station staff.  Regional and National Groups would also be meeting and information and ideas would be fed back to Local Authorities to share ideas and ensure consistency.

It was suggested that as well as national campaigns, there needed to be local awareness raising to make sure people were registered to vote.

National and Regional Briefing materials had been prepared for Elected Members and once further guidance was issued, presentations to Councillors would be organised.

The Chair commented that the Mayor and Executive should be made aware of the potential need for additional funding to implement the changes.

AGREED that the information provided was received and noted.