The Government are to seek Parliament’s approval to move the 2009 local elections in England to the same date as the European elections.

The decision follows consultation over the summer which closed on 11th August and showed overwhelming support for the change.

Copies of the Summary of consultees’ views and the Government’s response is available HERE:

Next year’s local elections are currently scheduled for 7th May 2009, with the European elections due to take place four weeks later on 4th June 2009.

Over three quarters of consultation respondents, including Electoral Administrators and local government felt that this change to the local government election date should be made and that the move had clear benefits.

By avoiding votes on two separate occasions in a month, the 2009 local elections will be more convenient for voters, less costly for the taxpayer and more efficient for administrators.

Local Government Minister John Healey said:

“We want to see a modern, efficient and secure electoral system which is as straightforward for the voter as possible.

“Like in 2004, holding local elections alongside the European elections in 2009 could help boost voter turnout and improve the democratic process. And avoiding two separate elections within a month will be more convenient for voters, less costly for the taxpayer and more efficient for electoral administrators.”
 

The draft order laid in Parliament will be debated and must be approved by both Houses and made no later then the 7th November if the change is to made.

According to the Electoral Commission, joining the local and European elections in 2004 greatly improved the turnout rate for the European Parliamentary elections, increasing voters from 24% in 1999 to 34.5% in 2004.

It also seeks to address a number of technical matters that were raised during the consultation, such as ensuring that, as in 2004, the European election is administered on local government boundaries.

Holding the two elections together will make large efficiency savings - costs for venue hire, some publicity, and polling staff will only be needed once, not twice. Therefore, the move should result in savings for the administration of those elections for local authorities and for the Government.

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