Electoral Reform in Local Government in Wales SECTION 1: Results of our survey with professional members & young people Children in Wales produced a survey for our professional members and the young people we engage with through our Young Wales programme. We drew on the questions put forward by the Welsh Government in their consultation document for young people Making Changes to Elections and How to Vote. Our survey ran for 6 weeks and 368 completed forms were returned. We asked each respondent to identify which age group they represented. 41% responded as being Under 18, 21% as being between 18 and 25 38% of respondents reported as being over 25 years of age This report provides the findings from our analysis of the survey, alongside a summary of some of the comments received in support of responses. A full report from Young Wales which also incorporates the views from young people engaged through a number of events and engagement opportunities during the consultation period has also been produced to provide feedback and also to inform Welsh Government thinking. Question 1: Do you think we should lower the voting age for Welsh elections? 70% of all respondents replied YES 30% of all respondents replied NO Under 18 77% 23% 18 25 61% 39% 25 + 67% 43% Analysis: across all age groups, there was support for lowering the voting age to enable 16 and 17 year olds to have the right and opportunity to vote in local Government elections in Wales. Young people under 18 especially more than 3 in 4 of respondents believe that the current franchise should be extended. : YES - I believe that everyone should have the right to vote, everyone has their own opinions. (under 18) I think young people should be able to vote with their own opinion and not to wait until your 18+ (under 18) It gives young children change to decide (18-25) 1
NO- It is unlikely that people under the age of 18 will have a firm enough grasp of the political spectrum to vote, we would also be more susceptible to demagoguery as few people under the age of 18 can be objective and rational on what can be an such an emotional topic. (under 18) Question 2: Do you think EROs should have more ways to help them add people to the register? 76% of all respondents replied YES 24% of all respondents replied NO Under 18 77% 23% 18 25 74% 26% 25 + 77% 23% Analysis: An overwhelming majority of around ¼ of respondents in each age category agreed that EROs should have more ways to help them add people to the register. The greatest support was amongst young people under 18 and adults over 25 (77% for to 23% against) : YES Young people are more politically inclined than they used to be, and when decisions are being made that involve their future, young people should vote. Hence, the ERO should be given more ways for this to happen (under 18) I think this is a good idea as registering to vote is becoming more and more difficult for people (25+) Question 3: Do you think local authority staff should be able to help people register? 90% of all respondents replied YES 10% of all respondents replied NO Under 18 90% 10% 18 25 84% 16% 25 + 93% 7% Analysis: a clear majority of respondents in each age category agreed that local authority staff should be able to help people to register. 1 in 10 (90%) of young people under 18 and 93% of adults over 25 expressed support for this proposal. YES I think this would be great - if local authority staff could work with schools to make children and young people aware of the Electoral Roll and the positive advantages of voting and its process (18-25) 2
I think this would be a good service for those who are unsure how to register on their own. (18-25) Better mechanisms to help people with visual, auditory and other disabilities, people with mental health problems and homeless people. (25+) Every opportunity to register should be offered and supported according to the young person's needs (25+) It could be useful for those who find it difficult to register themselves (25+) At certain times of year students are already helped to register to vote by college staff, using the online registration. (25+) Question 4: Do you think we should have a single electronic register for Wales? 74% of all respondents replied YES 26% of all respondents replied NO Under 18 70% 30% 18 25 70% 30% 25 + 80% 20% Analysis: across all age groups, there was support for a single electronic register to be in place in Wales. Support for this was greatest amongst adults over 25 (80%) whilst both the other categories of young people were in favour by 7 in 10. YES We need standardisation in Wales and this is as good a place to start as I can think of. (25+) As part of the register, it could also note whether the voter speaks Welsh or not. As the Welsh Language Standards require local authorities to record who the Welsh speakers are, it seems obvious to record this information in one place. (25+) People will then find it more difficult to duplicate their identity. The down side is when it is hacked, a lot of information will no longer be secure (25+), although the potential for hacking or glitches is concerning. I'm more neutral on this, leaning to yes. (25+) Question 5: Do you think each council should be able to choose their voting system? 43 % of all respondents replied YES 57 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 58% 42% 18 25 52% 48% 25 + 24% 76% 3
Analysis: compared to responses to many of the other questions, opinions were more clearly divided, notably amongst the two categories of young people. 58% of young people under 18 said yes, councils should be able to choose their system, whilst option was almost spit in the 18-15 category (52% said yes, 48 said no) However, amongst adults over 25 however, over a quarter (76%) disagreed with the proposal and responded no, councils shouldn t be able to choose their voting system. Allows specific areas to select the best method for the people in that area (under 18) I think its probably quite good in theory, delegating more power to the councils. I think they'd have to address the electorate of their particular county before making a change to their method of voting. (18-25) Our current system does not seem to work fairly, so it is worth trying to improve this situation (25+) Things would become too complicated. I think it should be the same throughout Wales so everyone has a fair and equal chance all through the same process. (under 18) Having differing voting systems between councils will confuse people and drive them away from the polling stations. I am in support of STV, and/or PR, but it would have to be universal or it'll be a mess. (under 18) I think it should stay the way it is now and it shouldn't be able to change per council because that would probably make things more complicated and confusing, especially if people move house and end up living in a different Welsh county where the voting system is different (under 18) It would cause an unfair outcome as for example, if the votes stayed the same, the outcome could be different depending on which system is used and that is not fair. (18-25) We should have a more representative system, some sort of proportional representation but it should be consistent across Wales (25+) We need a standard approach that is transparent and fair and not altered to suit local agendas (25+) Question 6: Do you think elections should be every five years? 40 % of all respondents replied YES 60 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 42% 58% 18 25 34% 66% 25 + 41% 59% Analysis: the majority of respondents in each age category disagreed with the suggestion that local government elections should be every five years. This position was strongest amongst the 18-25 age category, with 66% responding no, local elections should not be every 5 years 4
It gives the councils enough time to engage and make a positive difference (under 18) That would make it the same as the time frame between general elections (under 18) Gives a more realistic chance for manifesto pledges to be met (25+) A 5 year term is needed for both stability and to fulfil a programme of work, 4 years by the time new members are inducted and the next election comes up does not allow sufficient time (25+) The four year system works better in my opinion (under 18) Longer terms take power away from the electorate. The opportunity to elect a new representative is extremely valuable. (under 18) Politicians need to be accountable to the people who vote for them, increasing the time between elections would reduce this accountability by giving politicians the extra year of guaranteed employment (18-25) I think 4 years is enough to see whether that Councillor is effective or not (25+) Would like them more often, good councillors would get re-elected anyway, poor ones could be ousted more quickly (25+) Question 7: Do you think we should change the voting system to get more people to take part? 79 % of all respondents replied YES 21 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 77% 23% 18 25 69% 31% 25 + 87% 13% Analysis: across all age groups, there was a majority of respondents who agreed that the Welsh Government should change the voting system to get more people to take part. Support for this was greatest amongst adults over 25 (87%) whilst there were also clear majorities in both the other categories of young people (69% and 77%) Alternative voting systems should be considered other that first past the post (18-25) A move to digital democracy would probably greatly increase turnout amongst demographics such as young people, and so I support it. (under 18) We should make a voting app that would be easier for lots of people (under 18) Make it easier for people to vote for example people who can t get around easy by, giving a emailing people a code to use and then enter it online to vote. (under 18) 5
YES!!! This is something I have always hoped for - if voting was able to be submitted online rather than a polling station - I could guarantee the voter turnout would be significantly higher. (18-25) The current voting system is so out of date. Need to be able to vote via technology. This would improve turnout (25+) I think that an online system would be empowering for many people who cannot get out on that particular date. (25+) The system is ok as it is and I do not trust "On line" to be free of techno abuse. (25+) I feel there are plenty of ways to vote at the moment and adding yet another will not influence the amount of people that vote. I also think that electronic voting is much less secure. (under 18), people will find away to abuse this. Voting needs to be fair and democratic, the gamification of politics is unnecessary and potentially dangerous. The current system, wherein people must verify their identity in person before they can vote, will be lost. If they vote on their phone, like a game show, even if they need ID to vote it might be stolen. If this plan is implemented, there will be a massive rise in voter fraud. (18-25) Question 8: Do you think councils should be able to choose to use all-postal voting for their elections? 43 % of all respondents replied YES 57 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 50% 50% 18 25 50% 50% 25 + 32% 68% Analysis: opinions were evenly split 50-50 amongst the two categories of young people when responding to the question on whether councils should be able to choose to use all-postal voting for their elections. However, amongst adults over 25 however, a majority of 68% disagreed with the proposal and responded no, councils shouldn t be able to choose to use all-postal voting for their elections Suitable for who may not have technology and have access to their local polling stations (under 18) It is quicker and easier to vote like this and more people will be able to vote. (18-25) It is hard to monitor fraudulent voting such as people voting over each other (under 18) It should be a choice not instead of other ways to vote (25+) More of a community spirit voting in person (25+) 6
people should be able to have their say in a way that suits them. If they are rural and don't have a post box in the vicinity how will they vote? (25+) If an election is on a particular day then we should be given the option of choosing who to vote for on any given day (25+) Personally, I want to register my vote in person. I am all for the use of postal voting when this is not possible for the elector to attend their polling station, however, can our systems cope with all-postal voting. I need to know my vote has been registered. (25+) Question 9: Do you think electronic voting should be available? 73 % of all respondents replied YES 27 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 75% 25% 18 25 65% 35% 25 + 75% 25% Analysis: across all age groups, there was a majority of respondents who agreed that electronic voting should be made available. A quarter of respondents under 18 and over 25 agreed with this proposal whilst a majority of 65% of those aged 18-25 were in support. It would make the process significantly quicker and more convenient for those going about their day, but safeguards should definitely be put in place. (under 18) They have it in America and it has had somewhat good responses. Although I think this could allow for a higher possibility of voter fraud/corruption. (18-25) We must move with the times to improve efficiency (25+) but I want to see a cost-benefit analysis and guarantees that it's hack proof. (25+) I still don't believe this is as secure as our current system that has worked for hundreds of years. Why change now? (under 18) t if this means scrapping the current way of voting because I think it will put the older generation off from voting (under 18) An electronic system will be hacked. The system itself will have to be cheap because there will need to be lots around the country; cheap electronics are inherently insecure. It would be a clumsy waste of taxpayers' money. (18-25) Electronic systems in the USA have been showed to be unreliable at best, easy to compromise at worst. (25+) I think it the cost would outweigh the benefit and be open to corruption. (25+) 7
Question 10: Do you think remote voting should be available at local elections? 74 % of all respondents replied YES 26 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 72% 28% 18 25 69% 31% 25 + 79% 21% Analysis: There was support across all age categories for remote voting to be available for local government elections. The greatest support was amongst adults over 25 (79%) and amongst young people under 18 (72%) People can carry out voting from their own home. This will engage much more people especially younger citizens (under 18) As long as the encryption technique is up to date and at a better standard then normal banks then this will be useful. (18-25) Cheaper easier and more likely to vote (25+) Fantastic idea, could work if you re out of the area that day or if you cannot make it to a polling station (25+) Most people have internet and electronic devices. Could be quick and easy (25+) I think these could be vulnerable and would contain peoples identities, also a very dumbed down way of voting. (18-25) t at present as I think that there are too many security risks with mobile phone technology. In the future this might be a good way of engaging a younger electorate. (25+) Question 11: Do you think mobile polling stations should be available? 87 % of all respondents replied YES 13 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 86% 14% 18 25 85% 15% 25 + 88% 12% 8
Analysis: A clear majority of respondents across all age categories supported the proposals for mobile polling stations to be made available. The greatest support was amongst adults over 25 (88%) whilst 86% of young people under 18 and 85% of those aged 18-25 were also in favour., it would boost general turnout amongst the elderly who desire to vote but simply can't for one reason or another. (under 18) For the disabled people and for pupils who are in education (under 18) yes this is more inclusive and better for access (25+) Great for rural areas (25+) Very important and stops those who are unable to travel being ostracised (25+) Get out to the people if they cannot get to you. (25+) Wherever you live in the UK the voting station is never too far away and I believe postal voting has already resolved this issue. (under 18) Question 12: Do you think we should have these polling places as well as fixed polling stations? 78 % of all respondents replied YES 22 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 74% 26% 18 25 80% 20% 25 + 81% 19% Analysis: A clear majority of respondents across all age categories supported the proposals for mobile polling stations to be made available alongside fixed polling stations. The greatest support was amongst adults over 25 (81%) and amongst young people aged 18-25 (80%) These are more familiar landmark within towns and cities. People wouldn't have to worry about where places are that they are not familiar with. I think it will also remind people as well to vote if they see it. (under 18) Everyday places are more likely to receive higher voting amounts (under 18) In some places as long as it is in a separate room. (18-25) It gives people more choice. Sometimes it is easier to get to a supermarket than to get to a polling station. (25+) 9
It seemed to work and brought people together. Local pubs enjoyed their takings rising as people stayed and had a drink/food and socialised (25+), but.. Local authority libraries are the obvious choice or other publicly run local authority locations. I do not want to see polling in supermarkets; I think it wholly inappropriate to mix exercising your right to vote in a commercial environment. (25+) Confidentiality and security requirements would need to be considered if new places to vote were set up. (25+) Too much hassle must pay for venues, plus voters will be distracted and will need to find enclosed areas as well. (18-25) Most of those places are too noisy and too busy to be suitable (25+) If you are taking voting seriously, then you will make the effort to go to your local polling station. (25+) Question 13: Should local elections be held on more than one day and on days other than a Thursday? 79 % of all respondents replied YES 21 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 83% 17% 18 25 72% 28% 25 + 79% 21% Analysis: across all age groups, there was support for local elections to be held on more than one day and on days other than a Thursday. Support for this was greatest amongst young people under 18 (83%) and amongst adults over 25 (79%) Voting should be allowed on days off, such as Sundays. As it stands, many working people have too full a day to be able to vote in the morning or afternoon and come the end of the day they may be too exhausted to consider bothering, essentially. Though minor an issue, any attempts made to get out the vote should be made. (under 18) Wider options allow more people to vote (under 18) The polls are open from 7am - 10pm so I don't think that is stopping people who work from voting as they have plenty of time, but maybe it would be good to have 2 days to vote as some people may forget to vote (18-25) Sundays would allow more people to be free to vote (25+) 10
Why not have a voting week - online and app voting open all week with a single user code for each voter or then phone voting with their unique number and voting available at council offices fri-sun (25+) Over 2 or 3 days would give more flexibility to people (25+) but t just local elections, but all elections/referendums could be held over a couple of days, but not Sundays because Sundays are supposed to be special days off for spending time with God every week (under 18) t on Sunday - this is supposed to be a day of rest (religion) (25+) Maybe on more than one day but definitely not weekends, that's often the only spare time we have! (25+) Thursday's traditional. The vast majority of people have time to go to the polling station on the given day and if not voting by post is an option. (18-25) Improved access through mobile devices, postal and other locations should be sufficient. (25+) The polling stations are open for a lot of hours. Why on earth would you need more hours than already available? As a compromise you could open for a full 24 hours on voting day. (25+) Question 14: Should people have to show ID before they can vote? 50 % of all respondents replied YES 50 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 63% 37% 18 25 53% 47% 25 + 38% 62% Analysis: overall opinions were evenly split 50-50 when considering the responses of all the age categories together However, amongst adults over 25 only 38% agreed that ID should have to be shown before people can vote, whilst this percentage figure rose to a majority of 63% in favour of the proposal amongst those under 18. It could stop some people from voting but it is important to make sure that the person voting is actually them. (under 18) Just make sure u say on the letter being sent out that id is needed on a voting card to remind people. (18-25) Modern society lives by two forms of photo so ID voting should be the same (25+) If you take voting seriously then you will take ID with you if needed. Would you try and go on a foreign holiday without your passport? If you forget it for a Polling Station, it is not far to go and get it, usually it is not so with an airport. (25+) 11
To prevent fraud, something robust should be in place (25+) Good, but can mean people who are poor can't afford ID. (under 18) In my experience, not only do you register, but you also take a piece of paper that confirms your identity as the registered voter with you. That seems fine, I've not heard of any complaints towards the current system. (18-25) t everyone has a passport or driving license, they are expensive to obtain, if you have very limited money you might not be able to afford to get the id necessary to vote. you may not have household bills if you live in shared accommodation, a hostel or have coin meters for your gas and electricity. If ID is required to vote then it must be available free of charge otherwise poorer people will face and additional barrier to voting. Voting is a right and no part of it must be directly or indirectly related to having to pay for something (25+) The right to vote should not be dependent on having formal ID (25+) Question 15: Do you think we should stop publishing a candidate's home address? 72 % of all respondents replied YES 28 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 75% 25% 18 25 66% 34% 25 + 73% 27% Analysis: A clear majority of respondents across all age categories supported the proposal to stop publishing a candidate s home address. A quarter of respondents under 18 were in support, with a similar number of adults over 25 also in agreement. Privacy is important (under 18) It could be dangerous and it could put people off standing for election (under 18) People who may not agree with what the candidate s opinion may retaliate. Mention the area not the full address (under 18). All candidates should use the address of their local council. behaviour. (18-25) This will mitigate against any abusive Absolutely, serves no purpose for either the candidate or voter (25+) I work in a sensitive field where I certainly would not wish my patients to know my address, so why should candidates not have the same right? (25+) Their personal address may also have a spouse and kids; it is not a business address and should not be made public like this. (25+) 12
However I would say it should say what region or area they are living in. (25+) Knowing whether a candidate lives in the local constituency or not is important in gauging their connection and understanding with the local community. (25+) It is quite important for the local community to know if the candidate is to reside locally, so as to know if they understand local concerns as well as national. (under 18) Important to know whether a candidate lives in the constituency they represent. (25+) Question 16: Do you think each candidate should have to give a personal statement? 78 % of all respondents replied YES 22 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 60% 40% 18 25 79% 31% 25 + 92% 8% Analysis: across all age groups, there was support for candidates to have to give a personal statement. Support for this was greatest amongst adults over 25 (92%) and amongst young people in the 18-15 age category (79%) People will get a much clearer idea for who to vote for, this will also work well if you lower the voting age (under 18) Especially if they are all on one place online because then it would be easier to look at them all together and compare and decide which candidate you wanted to vote for (under 18). I do. A background of their career - why they're doing it for the community and not themselves. Show their passion, drive, determination and positivity. (18-25) This is a fantastic idea and would allow for people to see clearly what their candidate stands/strives for. Great idea. (18-25) This site could have a page for each candidate that also shows their most recent speeches and things. (18-25) Totally agree as having worked as a Polling Officer for a number of elections, I have seen so many voters coming in, which is fab in itself, yet they are unsure as to who is offering what etc. (25+) Absolutely - otherwise what do we base our decision on? (25+) Before the last election I hadn't heard from any candidate and didn t even know who was standing (25+) 13
People tend to vote for the party the candidate is attached to, rather than them personally. in the case of independent candidates this should be advisable but not compulsory. (under 18) That is up to the candidate. I think it would be an egregious error for it to be mandated. (18-25) Question 17: Do you think candidates should say which political party they are part of, if they have one? 82 % of all respondents replied YES 18 % of all respondents replied NO Under 18 68% 22% 18 25 86% 14% 25 + 92% 8% Analysis: across all age groups, there was clear support for candidates to say which political party they are part of, if they have one Support for this was greatest amongst adults over 25 (92%) and amongst young people in the 18-15 age category (86%) Any affiliations they have should be known; this is key for voters to understand if the body they come from shares their priorities. (under 18) As some voters take part in tactical voting it is important for them to know parties. Also the parties core values are what represent the individuals so all their values and views should be expressed in an election (18-25) because some people are "independent" but they are actually affiliated to a political party (25+) Whether or not they are conscious of it, it will have an impact on their decision making and could result in bias towards or against certain policies. If the voters know which party someone belongs to then they are aware of this risk. (25+) Sean O Neill Policy Director Children in Wales Sean.oneill@childreninwales.org.uk October 2017 14