Elections - Freedom of Information Requests

Disclosure Log - Elections and Electoral Registration

2023

November

Reference: 2525806

Subject:

I am reaching out with an FOI request for polling district or ward-level election results for any general elections for which they can be tabulated. I am agnostic about whether these results include postal votes or not, and in fact I believe the latter is necessary as postal votes probably cannot be assigned to any particular ward. I am also aware that some degree of vote-mixing is done at the polling district level. I am requesting this data for use in my dissertation.

Response date: 3 November 2023

Response: Response to this request - 2525806.

July

Reference: 1820889

Subject:

Please can you confirm the following regarding the May Elections:

A - How many voters were not issued with a ballot paper in total? (Even if they eventually returned)

B - How many voters came back and were issued with a ballot paper?

Response date: 19 July 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1820889.

Reference: 1815552

Subject:

Were greeters (i.e. staff positioned outside the polling station to inform potential voters about various issues) used at any polling stations in order to turn people away due to voter ID requirements?
If so, at how many polling stations were greeters present out of the total number of polling stations?
And if so, did greeters record the number turned away, and if so would it be possible to have that data?
Will your council introduce or continue to use greeters to turn people away due to voter ID requirements in the future?
Does the council have any further comments they’d like to make on the use of greeters (if so, please include)?

Response date: 19 July 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1815552.

Reference: 1811680

Subject:

How many people were turned away at polling stations in your local authority due to not bringing valid ID during the May 2023 local elections.
How many of those subsequently returned with valid ID (if this information is available).
The number of successfully submitted votes in the May 2023 election.
The total number of people registered to vote at the time of that election.

Response date: 19 July 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1811680.

June

Reference: 1806009

Subject:

Colleagues and I are trying to compile a study of the extent and effect of postal voting. We hoped that the department might be able to provide the figures in each of these categories for all wards in May 2023.

- the eligible electorate
- the total number of ballot papers issued
- the number of postal votes sent out
- the number of postal votes received back
- the number of postal votes included in the final count

Response date: 29 June 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1806009.

Reference: 1799823

Subject:

Under the terms of the Elections Act 2022 and the Amendments of RPA 1983, voters in your local authority were entitled to apply for a Voter Registration Certificate either online, by post or in person, in advance of the local elections held on May 4th, 2023.

My request is for the number of people in your local authority who applied for a Voter Registration Certificate before the election on May 4 2023, and/or the number of Voter Registration Certificates which were issued ahead of May 4 2023.

Response date: 29 June 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1799823.

May

Reference: 1135679

Subject:

Please can you confirm if this council used "greeters" at the entrance to voting stations during the recent May 2023 elections?
Did you record the number of people turned away from voting stations by "greeters" during the May 2023 elections?
Please provide ALL datasets you hold regarding the number, use and impact of "Greeters" at polling stations during the recent local elections held in May 2023

Response date: 14 June 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1135679.

April

Reference: 1086676

Subject:

I am looking for information on the percentage of applications for Voter Authority Certificates (VACs) that have been accepted and rejected by the council. I understand these are made in the first instance on the gov.uk website, and then passed on to yourselves to process - and so please take ‘received’ here to mean applications which come to you to be processed.

Please could you tell me:

The number of VAC applications received by the council
The number of these applications accepted/approved by the council
The number of these applications rejected by the council
Any numerical breakdown you hold on the reasons for these rejections (I understand these may include, but not be limited to: issues with the photograph, applicant not being registered to vote, National Insurance number not supplied)

For part D, I am asking for numerical data and not any information that may lead to the identification of an individual. If satisfying part D of the request would exceed the time and resource limits stipulated by the act, please feel free to disregard it.

Response date: 12 April 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1086676.

Reference: 1081915

Subject:

1a. Has your council made any assessments on the potential impact that the requirement for voters to show ID will have, for example on voter turnout or on staffing needed?
1b. If so, please provide a copy of or link to the document(s)

Response date: 12 April 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1081915.

March

Reference: 1067049

Subject:

a) What is the total budget that is to be spent on awareness campaigns, ii) what is the spend up to the 28th February 2023?
b) How much of the total budget is local authority funded and how much is funded by central government?
c) How many days have council staff spent on the awareness campaign?
d) What assessment did you make of the number/% of residents who were unaware of the requirement to present photo ID at polling stations before your campaign started?
e) What target have you set for the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for Photo ID, ii) how are you measuring it and iii) what is your latest estimate of the number/% of residents who are aware of the need for photo voter ID?
f) Which, if any, groups have been identified as the most difficult to communicate the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to?
g) How much extra time has been set aside for training polling station staff who will be present at the local election polling stations on the 4th May 2023 on the new requirements under the Election Act 2022 to present a photo ID at polling stations?
h) What additional planning have you undertaken with the local police force to ensure that polling stations staff are kept safe in the event that voters raise concerns regarding having to show photo ID?
i) What guidance have you received from central government regarding the safety of polling station staff on polling day?
j) How many questions or complaints from residents have you received regarding the new requirements for Voter ID under the Election Act 2022?

Response date: 24 March 2023

Response: Response to this request - 1067049.

Reference: 1044935

Subject:

How many Voter Authority Certificates (VACs) has the council issued, how many applications has it rejected, and what is the demographic profile of those applications, both accepted and rejected?
Can you confirm that the Chief Executive, acting in their role as the Returning Officer, and/or the Elections Department of your council, has received guidance from the Electoral Commission and/or the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities about implementing the new voter ID legislation for the May 4th elections?
Can you confirm a) all polling station staff have been trained on implementing the new processes and if so, b) what that training has entailed?
Can you confirm whether the Chief Executive, in their role as Returning Officer, has presented a report on preparedness for the Voter ID requirements to the full council or any other appropriate committee of the council? Has this included a risk assessment and mitigation plan? (If yes, please can you supply a copy of that report?)
Can you confirm whether an audit has been undertaken of all proposed polling stations to identify a private room for those people who, for whatever reason, cover their faces in public? What was the outcome of this audit if it has happened? (For example, have any polling stations been found to be unsuitable, and if so, how many?)
Has the council undertaken a public information campaign to inform voters about the new Voter ID requirements?

Response: Response to this request - 1044935.

2021

September

Reference: A1345641

Subject: Information about West Bridgford North Division for Nottinghamshire County Council and Police and Crime Commissioner election of 6 May 2021.

Response date: 2 September 2021

Response: Response to this request - A1345641.

June

Reference: A1345219

Subject: Information about staffing and costs for elections.

Response date: 2 June 2021

Response: Response to this request - A1345219.

Disclosure Log