Martin Ford 11 October 2022

Workload warning over voting pilots

Workload warning over voting pilots image
Image: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock.com

Proposals to introduce automatic voter registration in Wales could cause confusion and add to already heavy workloads, election officers have warned.

The Welsh Government is to run a series of pilots in which councils will add anyone eligible to the electoral register for Senedd and local government elections.

It hopes to improve registration rates and voter participation, particularly among students and young people.

However, the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) said the pilots must take into account work already under way to implement the Elections Act 2022.

AEA chief executive Peter Stanyon said: ‘Divergence between registration methods has the potential to introduce voter confusion, leading to the unintended consequence of hindering participation in elections.

‘Returning officers and their teams in Wales will need extra support as they tackle the challenges of legislative divergence and electoral reform across Welsh and UK polls.'

Constitution minister Mick Antoniw said: ‘We want it to be as easy as possible to vote, with people able to play their full part in our democracy.

‘We also want to create political structures that are more representative of the people they serve.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Procurement Category Manager

Wakefield Council
£49,764.00 to £52,805.00, Grade 12
Do you want to become a member of a successful Corporate Procurement Team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recovery Support Worker

Wakefield Council
Grade 7 - Grade 8, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Join a first of its kind specialist children’s home that has just been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted 2 years running. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Children's Residential Worker

Wakefield Council
£31,067.00 - £33,366.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent
We are looking for a Full Time Children's Residential Workers to join our team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£28,163 - £37,035 per annum
Are you a Maintenance Operative looking to further develop your skills and experience Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Bricklayer Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£28,163 - £30,559
Are you a qualified Bricklayer looking to expand your skills in a rewarding maintenance role? Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner