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 Support Worker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band D, SCP 9 -17 (£27,254- £31,022 per annum)
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a specialised service within Adult Social Care Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shovel Driver Plant Operative - Braintree

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £28033.00 per annum
Shovel Driver Plant Operative - Braintree Waste Transfer StationPermanent, Full Time £25,081 to £28,033 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Environmental Health Officer (Commercial Protection) - WMF2231e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£42,839 - £44,075
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join Westmorland and Furness Council as an Environmental Health Officer Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer - Contracts & Commercial - WMF2232e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£56,883 - £59,198
Senior Lawyer - Contracts & Commercial - WMF2232e Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner