Council staff in Derby could be given time off work to vote in elections, under recommendations published in a new report.
The council conducted a review into voter turnout following concerns turnout was lower in Derby than neighbouring cities, with only 34% of residents voting in the 2014 local elections.
The review makes several recommendations to increases turnout, including the council following the lead of employers in New Zealand and Canada and giving staff time off to vote.
It also calls for a change in the electoral cycle by changing Derby’s elections by thirds to four yearly. As well as improving governance, the review says this could save the council around £350,000 over four years.
Other recommendations in the review include making voting more accessible, becoming involved in digital democracy trials, targeting young people early in the democratic process and consider lowering the voting age to 16.
The review concluded: ‘Turnout in 2014 in Derby was 34%, which is nearly 6% points lower than the highest unitary authority. Evidence suggests that it is possible to increase turnout even in local elections. However to increase the turnout in local elections the council will need to adopted recommendations put forward by the board.
‘Politicians of all persuasion, regardless of which party they represent will need to engage more with the local electorate, particularly young people.’