Overview

This bill proposes a change to the voting system for European Parliament elections in Great Britain and Gibraltar, introducing an "open list" system. This system allows voters to choose individual candidates from a party list, influencing which candidates from that party win seats.

Description

Changes to the Voting System

The bill replaces the existing system with an open regional list system. Voters can choose individual candidates from a registered party's list or choose an independent candidate. Seats are allocated proportionally based on votes received, with the highest vote-getters from the top-performing party (or an independent if they received the most votes) taking the first seats. Subsequent seats are allocated using a modified d'Hondt method, dividing a party's vote total by the number of seats already allocated plus one to determine the next seat winner. The process is repeated until all seats are filled.

Party Registration and Nomination

The Secretary of State is required to create regulations governing the registration of parties and their nomination of candidates. Each party's list of candidates cannot exceed the number of MEPs to be elected for that region.

Repeal of Existing Legislation

Section 2 of the Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 will be repealed to make way for the new voting system.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify a cost, but implementing a new electoral system will likely involve expenses associated with updating electoral materials, conducting voter education, and administrating the new voting process. Specific figures are not provided in the text of the bill.

Groups Affected

• Voters in Great Britain and Gibraltar: Will experience a change in how they vote for MEPs, potentially impacting their ability to influence which candidates are elected.
• Political Parties: Will need to adapt their election strategies to the new open list system.
• Electoral Commission: Responsible for overseeing the election and will need to implement the new system.
• Candidates: May face different campaign strategies due to the shift to an open list system.

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