Overview

This Bill aims to update the rules around absent voting in Scotland and Wales, specifically for local government elections, Scottish Parliament elections, and Senedd Cymru elections. The key change is to allow for the use of a UK-wide digital service to submit applications for absent voting, streamlining the process and potentially making it more accessible.

Description

The Bill primarily focuses on amending existing legislation to incorporate a new UK digital service for absent voting applications. This service will be used for submitting applications to vote by post or proxy in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales. The amendments modify the Representation of the People Act 1983 and 2000, as well as the Scotland Act 1998 and the Government of Wales Act 2006. Key features of the amendments include:

• Enabling a Minister of the Crown to handle applications through the digital service, including partially completing them for applicants.
• Providing guidelines on how digital signatures will be managed within the application process.
• Specifying rules around the disclosure of personal information via the digital service, while ensuring compliance with data protection legislation.
• Removing references to England-specific provisions in existing absent voting regulations to ensure consistency across the UK.
• Granting powers to the UK and devolved governments to create regulations concerning the use of the new digital service.

Government Spending

The Bill doesn't directly specify an increase or decrease in government spending. The cost will likely depend on the development and implementation of the new digital service and any associated administrative changes. No figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Voters in Scotland and Wales: They will potentially benefit from a more accessible and streamlined method of applying for absent votes.
• Electoral officials in Scotland and Wales: They will need to adapt their processes to accommodate the new digital service.
• Government departments (UK and devolved): They will be responsible for implementing and maintaining the new digital service and associated regulations.
• Data protection authorities: They will need to ensure compliance with data protection legislation concerning the handling of personal data through the digital service.

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