§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what pilot projects have been introduced since May 1997 on alternative methods of voting at elections in the United Kingdom. [137948]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Representation of the People Act 2000 enabled local authorities to pilot alternative methods of voting for the first time. A total of 38 pilot schemes were carried out at last May's local elections. Of these, there were 15 early voting schemes, seven all-postal ballots, five electronic voting and/or counting schemes, four which offered postal votes on demand, three schemes involving mobile polling, two schemes involving extending polling hours, one weekend voting scheme and one scheme which offered candidates free delivery of election material.