Unlock Democracy: Confusion about elections shows need for guides like Vote Match
Unlock Democracy logo for press releases
Wednesday, 30, Apr 2008 12:00
The latest polls demonstrate the need for information campaigns like Vote Match, argues Unlock Democracy today.
Opinion pollsters YouGov yesterday published research suggesting that only 39% of Londoners understood the system for electing the London Mayor and Assembly.
Vote Match, which is run by Unlock Democracy, is specifically designed to reach out to members of the public who are unclear about voting. As well as providing information about the views of all 10 mayoral candidates and the 13 political parties standing for the London Assembly list, the website provides information about how to vote, the design of the ballot paper and points people to the official London Elects website for more information.
Commenting, Director of Unlock Democracy Peter Facey said:
"We are concerned that asking members of the public to cast their vote using two very different electoral systems on the same day is potentially a source of great confusion. In particular, the elections for the London Assembly have been overshadowed by the Mayoral race and we are concerned that people will turn up to the polling station on 1 May flummoxed.
"Vote Match is our attempt to redress this. It is designed for the use by the ordinary voter. We have been pleased by the positive feedback we have received from people who have found it has helped inform their choice of candidates.
"With 33,000 users and counting, Vote Match has been the internet phenomenon of the London elections and we are keen to increase the amount of users over the next 48 hours to maximise voter turnout."
ENDS
Notes:
The figure of 32,944 is accurate as of 7pm on Tuesday 29 April and is set to increase.
Unlock Democracy, incorporating Charter 88, is the UK's leading campaign for democratic renewal and active engagement in the political process. A cross-party organisation, it is not affiliated to any political party and does not endorse any candidate in the London elections.
For more information, a quote or an interview, please contact James Graham on 020 7278 4443 / 07966 237550.
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