20.04.15
Council to consider giving employees time off to vote
A council is considering giving staff time off to vote as it looks for ways to improve election turnout way below the national average.
For Derby City Council, which elects a third of its councillors every year, the average turnout was 39.2% in 2011 and 34% in 2014. But, in wards such as Mackworth and Sinfin it was a little over 26%.
That compares with a national figure of 42% in 2011 and 35.7% in 2014.
Now the council is looking at ways to address the issue and is considering a report that makes suggestions to increase turnout.
One recommendation is to encourage employers to consider giving employees time off to vote, and leading by example so the council make the move first.
The report points to New Zealand and Canada, which both have laws requiring employers to give their employees time off to vote. It says this “has arguably enabled more people to take part in elections”.
Cllr Lisa Eldret, who chairs Corporate Scrutiny and Governance Board that will consider the report, told the BBC: "Voting is one of the most important things we do.
"We have a crisis at the moment in terms of people participating in the democratic process - for many reasons.
"One of things we can do is look at how we support and facilitate people getting access their democratic right."
Other recommendations made in the report include lowering the voting age to 16, engaging with young people early in the democratic process and making better use of social media.
It also suggest the council look at ways to make voting easier and more convenient, such as making more use of postal ballots. Another move that is thought will make a difference is changing from an election cycle of by thirds to all-out for yearly elections.
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