Elections – Eastminster: a global politics & policy blog

The UK needs an electoral data revolution to boost turnout and democracy

February 7, 2023February 20, 2023 by Editor

Editor

Toby S. James Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of East Anglia Paul Bernal Professor in Information Technology Law, University of East Anglia Approximately 18.5 million people did not exercise their right to vote at the 2019 general election – nearly six times the population of Wales. The vast…

Six reasons Britain’s impending voter ID law is a bad idea

December 13, 2022January 16, 2023 by Editor

Editor

Toby James, University of East Anglia Under new government rules, voters across Great Britain will be required to show photographic identification before being given their ballot paper at many elections. (Northern Ireland already requires voters to provide photographic ID.) But not everyone thinks this is a good idea. Two cross-party…

How does the quality of US elections compare globally?

November 8, 2022November 8, 2022 by Pierre Bocquillon

Pierre Bocquillon

Here’s a mini-Vlog lecture briefing by UEA Prof Toby James ahead of the 2022 November mid-terms. Key points: There is a long history of problems with US elections dating back to the foundation of the Republic.The US is middle ranking when compared internationally – and 16th amongst the Americas.Electoral Integrity…

Elections: a global ranking rates US weakest among liberal democracies

June 4, 2022June 4, 2022 by Editor

Editor

Elections: a global ranking rates US weakest among liberal democracies A disappointing slide for the US after an election blighted by disinformation. Aaron Burson/Unsplash Toby James, University of East Anglia and Holly Ann Garnett, Royal Military College of Canada Defending democracy has suddenly become one of the central challenges of our…

Who runs elections and how can they be improved? Independence, resources and workforce conditions are essential for electoral integrity

June 6, 2019June 11, 2019 by Editor

Editor

In new research published about how elections are run around the world, Toby S. James, Leontine Loeber, Holly Ann Garnett and Carolien van Hamfind that organisational independence matters for well-run elections, and that election management could be improved with more resources, improved working conditions for election employees – and a better gender balance in…

Voter ID: our first results suggest local election pilot was unnecessary and ineffective

August 2, 2018 by Admin

Admin

Should we be asked to provide identification at polling stations? Toby James and Alistair Clark draw from new research to show that it is unnecessary and ineffective. The 2018 local elections in England were surrounded by a fierce debate over a pilot requiring voters to present ID at polling stations. The government…

Stick or twist: Should divided Northern Ireland change its electoral system? You can’t ignore progress

July 8, 2018July 8, 2018 by Admin

Admin

As Northern Ireland struggles to set up a new executive, a gamble on a new electoral system may be recommended. UEA graduate Sam Kenward makes the case why the constructive current system should be retained. With the current issues in getting a new executive set up in Northern Ireland, it…

Why Maturity may not be a good reason to stop 16-year-olds from voting in US elections

July 8, 2018July 8, 2018 by Admin

Admin

A common argument made against allowing 16-year-olds to vote is that teenagers are not mature and responsible enough to be trusted to make a sensible decision; but statistics show, that in many ways, American teens (as well as their international counterparts) are better behaved and more responsible than ever before,…

The Case for the Full Enfranchisement of Prisoners in the UK

July 5, 2018 by Editor

Editor

UEA Student Megan Bennett argues that the lack of voting rights for prisoners in the UK is unfair, illogical, and archaic compared with other European countries. The best way to rectify the situation is to allow full enfranchisement of prisoners. Few issues currently being debated return such polarised and emotive…

Mexico’s Historic 2018 Elections

July 5, 2018July 5, 2018 by Admin

Admin

Following a landslide victory on 1 July, Mexico’s president elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador, leader of the leftist MORENA coalition, announced that his government will be ‘for the people, of the people and with the people’. UEA's Hazel Marsh, in Mexico with the Red Universitaria y Ciudadana por la Democracia (RUCD),…

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