LGIU response to the Government’s strategy for modern and secure elections

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), said: 

“This strategy includes several momentous changes that will get lots of attention: the lowering of voting age, changes to campaign regulation, and extension of acceptable voter ID. But behind these loudest changes, the government has also addressed one of the most important issues facing our democracy: the strain on the local electoral administrators who do the difficult and essential work of making sure elections happen.

Over several years, our research has demonstrated the complexity of running elections, the pressures on the workforce, and the increasing abuse and harassment staff have faced as we have gone through years of electoral challenges and reforms. The decision to tackle the tight timetables, and the extension of legal protections to electoral staff, are a clear recognition of the need for change.

Then, there are changes that could have a transformative effect on the running of elections. The introduction of automated registration will be complex, but presents an opportunity for the sector and the government to work together to reinvent a system that works better for voters and administrators.

The government has emphasised that this is the beginning of a process designed to bolster our democracy. This strategy marks an important step in an ongoing, necessary, process to strengthen elections as an essential service, widen participation, and protect democracy during a period of significant challenge. We will be digesting and responding to the strategy over the next few weeks. We look forward to working with the government and the sector to support electoral administrators throughout these reforms.”