This year 17 e-voting pilot schemes are taking place, giving 1.4m people the opportunity to vote electronically. A further 42 local authorities are piloting all-postal elections and other innovations. Polling day for voting by traditional means is on 1 May, but voting by these new methods usually opens earlier, is available for several days and may close earlier. Kiosk voting is on 1 May. Voters in the 17 council areas have been sent details of how and when they can vote.
Speaking at a recent event to showcase the e-voting schemes, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said:
"This year's local elections will not only be the largest test of the government's e-voting plans, positioning the UK as one of the leaders in e-voting in Europe, but our other pilot schemes, such as all postal ballots, demonstrate the range of voting options available to the modern voter as we move into the 21st century.
"These pilot schemes are about the future of voting. Not just making it easier for people to vote but making the process more efficient for the committed men and women running elections. The pilots are an important step towards our aim of holding an e-enabled general election sometime after 2006 and the government will be monitoring the impact of these pilots with great interest."
Quelle: 10 Downing Street
