Policy and research

Electoral Commission opinion survey summary 2009

Results of the 2009 opinion survey about the Electoral Commission.

Investigation and enforcement: the Electoral Commission's proposed approach

During the Public Bill Committee debate of the Political Parties and Elections Bill it was suggested that the Electoral Commission should publish a paper on our proposed future enforcement policy to help inform parliament's debate of the proposals in the Bill. A copy of this paper has been sent to MPs and placed in the House of Commons Library.

Uservision report on ballot paper design

The Electoral Commission’s “Making your mark” project is developing design guidance aimed at improving the usability and accessibility of voter materials. To inform the scope and content of the design guidance, the Commission carried out some qualitative research in 2008. The purpose of the research was to explore which features of existing materials make voting easier or more difficult. A qualitative approach helped us to build an in-depth understanding of how and why voter materials are easy or difficult to use. The research took the form of focus groups, carried out by Brahm, and one-to-one usability tests, carried out by a partnership of User Vision and Effortmark. The research took place in various locations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. More detail about the sampling and methodology is contained in the reports. For more information about the research, please contact Will Reburn, Senior Research Officer, on wreburn@electoralcommission.org.uk For more information about the “Making your mark” project, please contact Christie Dennehy, Senior Policy Adviser, on cdennehy@electoralcommission.org.uk

The Electoral Commission Ballot Paper Testing Summary Final Report

The Electoral Commission’s “Making your mark” project is developing design guidance aimed at improving the usability and accessibility of voter materials. To inform the scope and content of the design guidance, the Commission carried out some qualitative research in 2008. The purpose of the research was to explore which features of existing materials make voting easier or more difficult. A qualitative approach helped us to build an in-depth understanding of how and why voter materials are easy or difficult to use. The research took the form of focus groups, carried out by Brahm, and one-to-one usability tests, carried out by a partnership of User Vision and Effortmark. The research took place in various locations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. More detail about the sampling and methodology is contained in the reports. For more information about the research, please contact Will Reburn, Senior Research Officer, on wreburn@electoralcommission.org.uk For more information about the “Making your mark” project, please contact Christie Dennehy, Senior Policy Adviser, on cdennehy@electoralcommission.org.uk

Haltemprice and Howden by-election public opinion research report

This is the report of public opinion research which ICM conducted for the Electoral Commission into the views of voters in Haltemprice and Howden after the Parliamentary by-election there in 2008. It covers voter's views on the two-column ballot paper used for this election and their satisfaction with the voting process.

Publication scheme

The Electoral Commission's publications scheme

London Mayor and Assembly elections 2008 Summary Report

Summary report of the 2008 London Mayor and Assembly elections

The Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002

The Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 - An assessment of of its first year in operation.

Postal vote verification and rejection at the 2008 local elections

A report analysing variations in levels of postal vote rejections across England and Wales at the 2008 local elections. Prepared for us by Professors Rallings and Thrasher at the University of Plymouth.

Appendix A2 - Postal voting data from the 2008 elections in London

Constituency level data which serves as an appendix to Professors Rallings and Thrasher's report to us on the 2008 elections in London.

Appendix A1 - Turnout and rejected ballots data from the 2008 elections in London

Constituency level data which serves as an appendix to Professors Rallings and Thrasher's report to us on the 2008 elections in London.

Analysis of data from the 2008 elections in London

This report from Professors Rallings and Thrasher analyses data from the 2008 elections for the London Mayor and Assembly, including results, turnout, rejected ballots and postal and proxy voting.

Local authority data from the 2008 local elections in Wales

Data showing levels of turnout, postal voting and rejected ballots at the local authority level for Wales. Prepared for us by Professors Rallings and Thrasher at the University of Plymouth.

Analysis of data from the 2008 local elections in Wales

This report from Professors Rallings and Thrasher at the University of Plymouth analyses data from the local elections in Wales, including results, turnout, rejected ballots and postal and proxy voting.

Local authority data from the 2008 local elections in England

Data showing levels of turnout, postal voting, rejected postal votes and rejected ballots by authority type and at the national level for England and Wales. Prepared for us by Professors Rallings and Thrasher at the University of Plymouth.

Local authority data from the 2008 local elections in England

Data showing levels of turnout, postal voting and rejected ballots at the local authority level for England. Prepared for us by Professors Rallings and Thrasher at the University of Plymouth.

Analysis of data from the 2008 local elections in England

This report from Professors Rallings and Thrasher at the University of Plymouth analyses data from the local elections in England, including results, turnout, rejected ballots and postal and proxy voting.

Local elections 2008 summary

Joint public opinions research from ICM and the Electoral Commission on the local elections in England and Wales in May 2008

Response to the CLG consultation - Moving the date of English Local Government Elections

The Electoral Commission's response to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on moving the date of the 2009 local elections to combine with the European Parliament elections

Making your mark: designing for democracy

Plans for taking forward our commitment to develop standards for the design of ballot papers and other voter materials