Policy paper

Prospectus on electoral integrity pilots in May 2019

This prospectus invites local authorities to work with the Cabinet Office to deliver electoral integrity pilots at local elections in May 2019.

From:
Cabinet Office
Published
22 August 2018

Documents

Electoral Integrity Pilots: Prospectus 2018 (odt)

ODT, 89 KB

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Electoral Integrity Pilots: Prospectus 2018 (pdf)

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Details

Sir Eric Pickles published his review of electoral fraud securing the ballot in August 2016. The review recommended that the government should consider exploring the implications of asking voters to present identification at polling stations before being able to vote.

The government published its response to Sir Eric’s review, ‘A Democracy That Works For Everyone’, in December 2016.

Voter ID was subsequently tested at local elections on 3 May 2018 by five local authorities:

  • Bromley
  • Gosport
  • Swindon
  • Watford
  • Woking

Proxy voters in Peterborough were also required to show ID before they could vote.

The purpose of the pilots in 2019 is to further assess the impact of requiring voters to present identification before voting.

In this publication, which invites expressions of interest from local authorities interested in participating in voter identification pilots, the government has set out:

  • the objectives of the pilot schemes
  • the criteria for piloting authorities
  • a provisional timetable for pilot development and implementation

Any local authorities who are interested in participating in the May 2019 voter ID pilots, or want to talk to us about any aspect of electoral integrity, should get in touch with the Elections Projects Team via the contact details outlined in the prospectus.

The government will continue to work closely with its key partner organisations to provide a clear and secure democracy that works for everyone.

Published 22 August 2018

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