AHR SURVEY: NATIONAL RESULTS

AHR SURVEY: NATIONAL RESULTS Survey conducted by MES December 2017 If you would like a localised benchmarking report so you can see how your own Electoral Services Department compares to this nationwide view, please contact us at ERSResearch@electoralreform.co.uk and request a copy for just 450 + VAT

INTRODUCTION From July through November 2017, all households in the UK were asked to confirm the details of those living at the address who were eligible to vote. Households confirmed this by using the ERS automated service or returned a form by post. The ERS automated service gave the choice of using telephone, online or SMS text for households to respond to confirm their details. Those needing to change details or add new residents to their household were also able to do this using the online service. Those who used the online service were invited to take part in a short survey at the end of the process. We had a robust response with 356,746 respondents across 200 councils taking part. Participation in the survey was purely voluntary, no incentive was offered for completion. Standard questions were benchmarked so individual councils could measure their results against all participating authorities. However, this report presents the overall, topline results only. The key objectives of the study were: To understand more about the profile of those who used the automated service. To understand their opinion on the service provided by their council's Electoral Services Department. To better understand: how well informed residents feel about the electoral process including registration whether residents visit their council's Electoral Services Department website and why or why not whether residents contact their council's Electoral Services Department and why or why not residents past and potential future voting behaviours The survey ran from 1st of July to 30th November 2017. It should be noted that the timing of the survey varied from council to council, which may account for some difference in response.

KEY FINDINGS 7 in 10 Rate their council as VERY GOOD for keeping them informed about electoral registration and voting in elections 2 in 10 Have visited their council s website for electoral services in the last 12 months I didn t need to 1 in 10 Query about postal or proxy voting Email Have contacted their council s Electoral Services Department in the last 12 months Is the most common reason for contacting the Department in the last 12 months (41%) Is the most preferred way of getting in touch with the council s Electoral Services Department (70%), followed by website (45%) Is the most common reason for not visiting the Electoral Services Department website (89%) 2 in 3 Of those who contacted the department are VERY SATISFIED with the service received

KEY FINDINGS 8 in 10 Polling station Was the most common voting method for the General Election (66%) followed by post (25%) Describe themselves as someone who ALWAYS VOTES 9 in 10 Of those who voted at a polling station found the process VERY EASY 7 in 10 Of those who voted by post found the process VERY EASY Would be more likely to vote if Everybody was required to vote and you would be fined if you did not 32% You could vote online using a system computer-security experts say is secure 29% You could vote online using a system the government says is secure 27% Would be less likely to vote if You could vote online using a system the government says is secure 20% Polling day held on a Sunday 18% You could vote online using a system computer-security experts say is secure 16%

The majority (76%) of respondents rated their council as VERY GOOD for keeping them informed about electoral registration and voting However, experiences differ from council to council, ranging from 66% to 84%. NET GOOD: 97% Very good Fairly good Not very good 76% Best performing council: 84% Worst performing council: 66% Very Good Not at all good 1% 21% 1% 1% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 356,746. Q1. How do you rate your council for keeping you informed about electoral registration and voting in elections? NET GOOD = those who scored very or fairly good.

Only 2 in 10 have visited their Electoral Services Department website in the last 12 months The majority felt there was no need to do so. In the last 12 months, have you visited the website for your council s Electoral Services Department?* 89% 1% I didn t need to I didn t know where/how to find it 1% I have visited in the past, but didn t find it helpful 71% WHY NOT? 1% I don t have regular access to the internet NO YES 21% 1% 2% I prefer to access information offline 2% None of the above Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 355,303/Those not visiting the website: 251,900. Q2. In the last 12 months, have you visited the website for your council s Electoral Services Department? * 8% ; Q3. If no, why not? Please select all that apply

Only 1 in 10 contacted their council s Electoral Services Department in the last 12 months Most did so with queries about postal voting or proxy voting. NO YES In the last 12 months, have you contacted your council s Electoral Services Department?* 85% 11% 83% Reasons for contacting the Department: Add / remove elector 21% Query about postal vote or proxy voting Query about overseas voting 2% Becoming a candidate in an election 2% Errors / omissions on electoral register 4% Publication of details on electoral register 4% Information about a polling station 6% Information about a polling district or ward 2% To report suspected electoral fraud 0.3% To make a complaint 2% / Don t remember 5% None of the above 20% 41% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 352,529/ Those who contacted the department : 37,141. Q4. In the last 12 months, have you contacted your council s Electoral Services Department? * 4% ; Q5. Why did you contact your council s Electoral Services Department? Please select all that apply..

Overall, 7 in 10 of those who contacted the Electoral Services department were VERY satisfied with the service received However, experiences vary the best performing council scored 88% whilst the worst only 49%. Very satisfied NET Satisfied: 87% Quite satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 70% Best performing council: 88% Worst performing council: 49% Very Satisfied Quite dissatisfied Very dissatisfied 17% 3% 1% 5% 3% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: Those who contacted the department: 35,676. Q6. And, how satisfied were you with the service you received from your council s Electoral Services Department? NET SATISFIED = those who scored very or quite satisfied.

Email is the most preferred way of contacting the council s Electoral Services Department, followed by the website 70% 45% 31% 8% 2% 1% Email Website Post SMS None of the above Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 349,809. Q7. How would you prefer to get in touch with your council s Electoral Services Department? Please select all that apply.

Overall, 8 in 10 respondents describe themselves as someone who ALWAYS votes However, this varied from council to council ranging from 88% to 68%, indicating a disparity between those who identify themselves as someone who always votes and the actual turnout in the 2017 General Election (68.7%). It should be noted, however, that not all respondents may have been eligible to vote in the 2017 General Election. Always votes Sometimes votes Never votes 80% Best performing council: 88% Worst performing council: 68% Always vote Prefer not to say 15% 3% 2% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 349,018. Q8. Considering all the elections that have taken place recently in your area would you describe yourself as someone who:

Overall, respondents indicated they would be more likely to vote if voting were made mandatory and non-voters were fined (32%) and if they could vote online using a system computer-security experts (29%) or the government (27%) says is secure However, online voting may also be likely to deter some voters from taking part, with 1 in 5 saying they would be less likely to vote using an online system the government says is secure, as would polling day being held on a Sunday (18%). More likely Everybody was required to vote and you would be fined if you did not vote 22% You could vote using an online voting system that computer-security experts say is secure and your vote is secret 17% You could vote using an online voting system that the government says is secure and your vote is secret 15% Much more likely 10% 12% 12% NET: 16% NET: 18% NET: 20% NET: 32% NET: 29% NET: 27% 8% 9% 10% 8% 9% 10% Less likely Much less likely You could vote using an online voting system that computer-security experts say is secure and your vote is secret Polling day is held on a Sunday You could vote using an online voting system that the government says is secure and your vote is secret Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 337,028 343,080. Q9. We know there are many reasons why people do or don t vote, how likely would you be to vote if the following changes were made? NET MORE LIKELY = those who stated more likely or much more likely, NET LESS LIKELY = those who stated less likely or much less likely.

Respondents likelihood to vote if the following changes were made Polling day is held on a Saturday Polling day is held on a Sunday You could vote using an online voting system that computer-security experts say is secure and your vote is secret You could vote using an online voting system that the government says is secure and your vote is secret Much less likely to vote Less likely to vote 5% 6% 9% 8% 10% 9% 8% 10% About the same 47% 46% More likely to vote 76% 70% Much more likely to vote 12% 12% 5% 4% 5% 5% 3% 3% 17% 15% 7% 7% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 337,028 343,080. Q9. We know there are many reasons why people do or don t vote, how likely would you be to vote if the following changes were made? NET MORE LIKELY = those who stated more likely or much more likely, NET LESS LIKELY = those who stated less likely or much less likely.

Respondents likelihood to vote if the following changes were made Much less likely to vote Less likely to vote You received a booklet containing an election statement from every candidate before you went to the polling station or with a postal ballot paper 3% 3% Everybody was required to vote and you would be fined if you did not vote You would need to take some form of photo ID (e.g. passport, driving licence) with you to vote at a polling station 6% 7% 2% 8% About the same 64% 53% More likely to vote 67% Much more likely to vote 10% 15% 22% 5% 11% 9% 5% 7% 4% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 337,028 343,080. Q9. We know there are many reasons why people do or don t vote, how likely would you be to vote if the following changes were made? NET MORE LIKELY = those who stated more likely or much more likely, NET LESS LIKELY = those who stated less likely or much less likely.

Excluding those who said they always vote, the remaining respondents would be more likely to take part if they could vote online using a system computer-security experts (55%) or the government (51%) says is secure, or if voting were made mandatory and nonvoters were fined (51%) The biggest potential deterrents for those who do not always vote would appear to be if you would need to take some form of photo ID to vote at a polling station (23%) or if polling day were held on a Sunday (21%). 31% 33% 28% More likely Much more likely 24% 18% 23% NET: 55% NET: 51% NET: 51% You could vote using an online voting system that computersecurity experts say is secure and your vote is secret Everybody was required to vote and you would be fined if you did not vote You could vote using an online voting system that the government says is secure and your vote is secret You could vote using an online voting system that the government says is secure and your vote is secret 7% 9% Polling day is held on a Sunday 10% 11% You would need to take some form of photo ID (e.g. passport, driving licence) with you to vote at a polling station NET: 16% NET: 21% NET: 23% 12% 11% Less likely Much less likely Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: Excluding those who say they ALWAYS VOTE @ Q8. Q9. We know there are many reasons why people do or don t vote, how likely would you be to vote if the following changes were made? NET MORE LIKELY = those who stated more likely or much more likely, NET LESS LIKELY = those who stated less likely or much less likely.

Excluding those who said they always vote, remaining respondents likelihood to vote if the following changes were made Polling day is held on a Saturday Polling day is held on a Sunday You could vote using an online voting system that computer-security experts say is secure and your vote is secret You could vote using an online voting system that the government says is secure and your vote is secret Much less likely to vote 7% 7% 11% 10% 8% 9% 6% 7% Less likely to vote 23% 25% About the same 59% 53% 24% 23% More likely to vote Much more likely to vote 11% 10% 31% 28% 8% 8% 8% 8% 8% 9% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: Excluding those who say they ALWAYS VOTE @ Q8. Q9. We know there are many reasons why people do or don t vote, how likely would you be to vote if the following changes were made? NET MORE LIKELY = those who stated more likely or much more likely, NET LESS LIKELY = those who stated less likely or much less likely.

Excluding those who said they always vote, remaining respondents likelihood to vote if the following changes were made Much less likely to vote Less likely to vote About the same More likely to vote You received a booklet containing an election statement from every candidate before you went to the polling station or with a postal ballot paper 5% 4% 45% Everybody was required to vote and you would be fined if you did not vote 11% 11% 3% 20% 18% You would need to take some form of photo ID (e.g. passport, driving licence) with you to vote at a polling station 12% 55% Much more likely to vote 22% 33% 14% 6% 10% 14% 7% 9% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: Excluding those who say they ALWAYS VOTE @ Q8. Q9. We know there are many reasons why people do or don t vote, how likely would you be to vote if the following changes were made? NET MORE LIKELY = those who stated more likely or much more likely, NET LESS LIKELY = those who stated less likely or much less likely.

Overall, two thirds of respondents indicated they voted in the 2017 General Election at a polling station and the majority found this process to be very easy (88%) A quarter of respondents voted by post and nearly 3 in 4 found this process to be very easy. 66% Polling station 25% By post 1% By proxy 88% 72% 6% I did not vote 2% Prefer not to say found the process of voting at a polling station VERY EASY found the process of voting by post VERY EASY Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 342,531/Those voting by post: 85,658/Those voting at a polling station: 227,544. Q10. Which method did you use to vote at the recent General Election?; Q11. How easy did you find the process of voting by post?; Q12. How easy did you find the process of voting at a polling station?

Response Rate and Respondent Profile Overall, 3,425,182 households used the online service, of which 356,746 respondents completed the survey, representing a response rate of 10%. The demographic profile of the respondents is outlined below. GENDER*: AGE**: ETHNICITY: 18-24 25-34 1% 7% 4% White: English/ Welsh/ 1% 5% Scottish/ N. Irish/ British 50% 46% 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 13% 20% 22% 25% 82% Any other White background Asian / Asian British: Indian All other ethnic groups < 1% 75+ 7% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 356,746. Q13. Some more information about you - are you? * 4% not stated; Q14. What is your age group? ** 5% not stated; Q15. What is your ethnic background? *** 8% not stated.

Respondent Profile: Acorn group The graph below shows the Acorn profile of respondents who completed the survey. Acorn is a geo-segmentation of households, postcodes and neighbourhoods composed of six categories, 18 groups and 62 types. Based on participant s postcodes, Acorn provides precise information and in-depth understanding of the people we interact with by analysing significant local social factors and population behaviour. Acorn groups: 19% 13% 2% 3% 7% 6% 7% 9% 3% 4% 1% 5% 6% 3% 4% 4% 2% 0% Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 356,746. For more information on Acorn please visit CACI's dedicated microsite at http://acorn.caci.co.uk

Response Profile: Acorn group Top 3 Acorn groups at a glance: Executive Wealth 19% These are wealthy families living in larger detached or semi-detached properties either in the suburbs, the edge of towns or in semi-rural locations. While these are generally family areas there are also some empty nesters and better-off retired couples. Many families own their home but a good number may still be repaying a mortgage. The likelihood of these families owning a second home, in the UK or abroad, is over five times the UK average. Incomes are good since many have managerial and professional occupations with perhaps one in five being company directors. It is rare to find households earning less than the average. They tend to be financially literate people more likely to have multiple bank accounts and credit cards, and the incomes to spend relatively freely. These families are usually financially secure and three times more likely to have a variety of investment vehicles. Personal pensions and significant levels of savings are also more likely. They tend to be frequent users of the Internet, generally more for practical than entertainment purposes such as shopping and keeping up with current affairs, although many will also read the broadsheets. Modern technology such as DAB radio, ipads or tablet PC s, portable media players and smartphones are more likely to be owned, and those with children may well have purchased games consoles. These are high income people, successfully combining jobs and families. Mature Money 13% Steady Neighbourhoods - 9% These people tend to be older empty nesters and retired couples. Many live in rural towns and villages, others live in the suburbs of larger towns. They are prosperous and live in larger detached or semi-detached houses or bungalows. Many have two cars, others may have down-sized to live in good quality apartments. Some will own second homes. These are high income households and even those that have retired have good incomes. Employment is typically in managerial and professional roles. A good number own their homes outright and with many having no mortgage to pay are able to invest their money in a wide range of financial products. While some might have a DAB radio these people do not generally favour new technology and are less likely than average to have a smartphone or tablet PC. Some may prefer free digital TV services to Sky or cable options. In their leisure time they enjoy gardening, walking, photography or golf. They appreciate good food and wine and will go on regular holidays. They often shop at Waitrose, M&S and John Lewis and may well read the Daily Telegraph, Times, Mail and Express. These older, affluent people have the money and the time to enjoy life. These home-owning families, often middle aged, are living comfortably in suburban and urban locations. They mainly own older, lower priced, three bedroom terraced or semi-detached homes, which they may have occupied for many years. Families might include young children, teenagers or young adults who have not yet left home. These areas will also include some empty nesters. People typically have GCSE and A level qualifications although some have degrees. They tend to be employed in a range of middle management and clerical roles or as shop workers and semi-skilled manual workers and overall household incomes are around the national average. Their spending, and interaction with financial services broadly mirrors the national average. Most in this group have some small savings, an ISA and perhaps a few shares. Although they do generally use the internet, few of these people will go online extensively on a regular basis. They are more likely to read the Daily Mirror, Daily Express or Daily Star than a broadsheet paper. Celebrity, travel, cooking and glossy women s magazines may be popular with some. These working families form the bedrock of many towns across Britain. Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 356,746. For more information on Acorn please visit CACI's dedicated microsite at http://acorn.caci.co.uk

Questionnaire Q1. How do you rate your council for keeping you informed about electoral registration and voting in elections Very good Fairly good Not very good Not at all good Q2. In the last 12 months, have you visited the website for your council s Electoral Services Department? Yes No Q3. If no, why not? Please select all that apply. I didn t need to I didn t know where/how to find it I have visited in the past, but didn t find it helpful I don t have regular access to the internet Q4. In the last 12 months, have you contacted your council s Electoral Services Department? Yes No Q5. Why did you contact your council s Electoral Services Department? Please select all that apply. Add / remove elector Query about postal vote or proxy voting (e.g. registering for one, or one going missing) Query about overseas voting Becoming a candidate in an election Errors / omissions on electoral register Publication of details on electoral register Q6. And, how satisfied were you with the service you received from your council s Electoral Services Department? Very satisfied Quite satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Quite dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Q6a. Could you tell us why? Free text response box Q7. How would you prefer to get in touch with your council s Electoral Services Department? Please select all that apply. Post Email Text message (SMS) Website None of the above Q8. Public elections are held every year throughout the country for different elected positions. This year we have had a General Election to elect MPs to the UK parliament and some areas have had other elections such as the county council elections, mayoral elections, parish and community elections. Considering all the elections that have taken place recently in your area would you describe yourself as someone who: Always votes Sometimes votes Never votes Prefer not to say Q9. When an election is held some people chose to vote at a polling station others by post. Polling Day is almost always on a Thursday. We know there are many reasons why people do or don t vote, how likely would you be to vote if the following changes were made? STATEMENTS: Polling day is held on a Saturday Polling day is held on a Sunday You could vote using an online voting system that computer-security experts say is secure and your vote is secret You could vote using an online voting system that the government says is secure and your vote is secret You received a booklet containing an election statement from every candidate before you went to the polling station or with a postal ballot paper Everybody was required to vote and you would be fined if you did not vote You would need to take some form of photo ID (e.g. passport, driving licence) with you to vote at a polling station SCALE: Much less likely to vote Less likely to vote About the same More likely to vote Much more likely to vote Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 356,746.

Questionnaire Q10. Which method did you use to vote at the recent General Election?Very good By post At a polling station By proxy I got someone else to vote on my behalf I did not vote Prefer not to say Q11. [IF POST AT Q10] How easy did you find the process of voting by post? (i.e. Following instructions to complete the postal vote statement, use the envelopes and return the ballot) Very difficult Somewhat difficult Neither easy nor difficult Somewhat easy Very easy Q15. What is your ethnic background? White: English / Welsh / Scottish / Northern Irish / British White: Irish White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller Any other White background Mixed / Multiple: White and Black Caribbean Mixed / Multiple: White and Black African Mixed / Multiple: White and Asian Any other Mixed / Multiple ethnic background Asian / Asian British: Indian Asian / Asian British: Pakistani Asian / Asian British: Bangladeshi Asian / Asian British: Chinese Any other Asian background Q12. [IF POLLING STATION AT Q10] How easy did you find the voting process at the polling station? Very difficult Somewhat difficult Neither easy nor difficult Somewhat easy Very easy Q13. Some more information about you - are you? Male Female Other Prefer not to say Q14. What is your age group? 18-24 years old 25-34 years old 35-44 years old 45-54 years old 55-64 years old 65-74 years old 75 years and over Prefer not to say Residents Feedback Survey, July November 2017. Base: 356,746.

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