HC Deb 26 June 2003 vol 407 cc901-2W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has taken to increase voter turnout in the May 2003 local elections. [110694]

Mr. Leslie

Low turnout in elections is caused by a number of different factors, and no single solution will solve it. However, one of the most important ways in which we can help is to make voting more straightforward and accessible to all voters. In conjunction with the independent Electoral Commission and Local Government Association, we are promoting a programme of electoral pilots to test new methods of voting, which are aimed at increasing the opportunity for voting. These include various electronic voting techniques (including the use of the internet, telephone, SMS text messaging and interactive digital television), as well as all-postal ballots.

At this year's local elections the 33 all-postal pilot elections recorded an average turnout of 49.5 per cent. One pilot authority achieved a 61 per cent. turnout in its pilot, while another more than doubled its turnout compared to the last comparable election. The Electoral Commission's evaluation of these pilots should provide us with more details about how they worked. Initial indications are that the new methods of voting are having a positive effect on voter turnout.