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| Weekend voting plans considered | Weekend voting plans considered |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Voters may be able to go to the polls at weekends - rather than Thursdays - under plans to encourage more people to take part in elections. | Voters may be able to go to the polls at weekends - rather than Thursdays - under plans to encourage more people to take part in elections. |
| Justice Minister Michael Wills is publishing a consultation document which looks at the merits of moving the traditional polling day. | Justice Minister Michael Wills is publishing a consultation document which looks at the merits of moving the traditional polling day. |
| "We should not be afraid to try a new voting day that fits in better with people's busy lives," he said. | "We should not be afraid to try a new voting day that fits in better with people's busy lives," he said. |
| But there are concerns over religious objections and the cost of the move. | But there are concerns over religious objections and the cost of the move. |
| The document says that switching polling day to the weekend could be more convenient for the population as a whole and therefore may result in increased turnout. | The document says that switching polling day to the weekend could be more convenient for the population as a whole and therefore may result in increased turnout. |
| Shift work | Shift work |
| It argues that the majority of people work on weekdays, with many also balancing family and childcare commitments, making Thursday voting difficult. | It argues that the majority of people work on weekdays, with many also balancing family and childcare commitments, making Thursday voting difficult. |
| This is in addition to people working shifts or having long commutes to and from work which hinders weekday voting. | This is in addition to people working shifts or having long commutes to and from work which hinders weekday voting. |
| The government wants to make it easier for people to turn up to vote - as part of this process, we want to look at different options for the day on which elections take place Michael WillsJustice Secretary | The government wants to make it easier for people to turn up to vote - as part of this process, we want to look at different options for the day on which elections take place Michael WillsJustice Secretary |
| However, a weekend poll could increase the current £90m cost of holding a general election by between £38m and £58m, the consultation says. | However, a weekend poll could increase the current £90m cost of holding a general election by between £38m and £58m, the consultation says. |
| And a change to some voting on either Saturday or Sunday may raise issues for some people on the grounds of faith. | And a change to some voting on either Saturday or Sunday may raise issues for some people on the grounds of faith. |
| One option being explored is whether polls should be held on both days to accommodate the needs of Jewish and Christian people - but at an additional cost. | |
| The consultation says countries that hold elections on Sundays generally experience up to 6% higher turnouts than countries that go to the polls on week days. | |
| A potential solution for those not wishing to attend a polling station or cast a vote on a particular day is postal voting. | |
| Electronic voting | |
| However, evidence from pilots of advance voting in 20 local authorities suggested that this did little to increase turnout, with take up at around 2-3% of votes cast. | |
| The government says it also wants feedback on whether remote electronic voting would be an acceptable alternative. | |
| Mr Wills said: "Decisions are made by those who vote. | Mr Wills said: "Decisions are made by those who vote. |
| "The government wants to make it easier for people to turn up to vote. As part of this process, we want to look at different options for the day on which elections take place. | "The government wants to make it easier for people to turn up to vote. As part of this process, we want to look at different options for the day on which elections take place. |
| "The reason elections are traditionally held on Thursdays is obscure. We should not be afraid to try a new voting day that fits in better with people's busy lives, while also recognising the constraints of money and belief." | "The reason elections are traditionally held on Thursdays is obscure. We should not be afraid to try a new voting day that fits in better with people's busy lives, while also recognising the constraints of money and belief." |
| Citizens' summit | |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said he is opposed to making not voting in elections a criminal offence. | Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said he is opposed to making not voting in elections a criminal offence. |
| The consultation is set to run for 12 weeks and will be followed by a citizens' summit later this year. | |
| In these, a cross-section of the public would be invited to consider barriers to voting and options available to improve participation levels. | |
| Ministers will then consider the summit's recommendation along with evidence gathered from the written consultation. | Ministers will then consider the summit's recommendation along with evidence gathered from the written consultation. |