UK – Electoral Management

2018 English Local Elections Survey

February 22, 2018March 6, 2018 by Toby James

Toby James

Researchers from the universities of East Anglia (Dr. Toby James) and Newcastle (Dr. Alistair Clark) are carrying out a survey of polling station workers and presiding officers at the 2018 local elections. This page provides some FAQs for those areas who are taking part. We will also update the page with…

Funding Electoral Services in England and Wales

Many British electoral services are under financial strain

June 5, 2017June 5, 2017 by Toby James

Toby James

As the UK General Election takes place this week, a new report from the University of East Anglia and Clearview Research reveals that many British electoral services are under financial strain, writes Dr. Toby S. James. Elections in the U.K. are well run. Some may have complaints about the majoritarian…

Students at the University of East Anglia

Too late for #GE2017 – but now universities will have to play a role in registering students to vote in England

May 13, 2017 by Toby James

Toby James

It came too late for this general election – but the UK Parliament has passed legislation that will mean that universities will again have to play a role in registering their students to vote. Toby S James, Chris Rennard and Josh Dell explain why this is an important step towards…

Designing the Voter ID pilots in Britain

January 3, 2017 by Toby James

Toby James

Toby S. James analyses the UK government's proposals to pilot voter ID and makes recommendations about how the pilots are organised and assessed. Christmas is a time for tinsel, presents and major policy announcements about British electoral law, it seems. Last week, the government announced it would accept many of the…

The EU Referendum shows the need for electoral administration reform in Britain

September 26, 2016September 26, 2016 by Toby James

Toby James

Despite widespread fears to the contrary, the EU referendum passed off without major problems. But the vote revealed underlying problems with Britain’s electoral system – most notably the difficulty of registering to vote. Toby S James and Alistair Clark, authors of a new report by the Electoral Commission on the…