Overview

This bill aims to improve absent voting in Scotland and Wales by allowing the use of a UK government digital service for submitting applications. It updates existing legislation to accommodate this new digital process for local government elections, Scottish Parliament elections, and Senedd Cymru elections, ensuring consistency and streamlining the application process.

Description

The bill primarily amends the Representation of the People Act 1983 and 2000, and the Scotland Act 1998 and the Government of Wales Act 2006. Key changes include:

• Enabling Digital Applications: The bill allows the use of a UK digital service for submitting absent voting applications (postal votes and proxy votes) for the elections mentioned above.
• Ministerial Powers: Ministers are given powers to help people complete applications partially through the digital service and to define how digital signatures can satisfy application requirements.
• Data Protection: The bill addresses data protection concerns, ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 while facilitating the use of the digital service.
• Transitional Provisions: The bill includes provisions to manage the transition from the old system to the new digital system, including the handling of existing postal vote entitlements.
• Scotland and Wales Specific Provisions: The bill specifically includes provisions for the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru elections, ensuring alignment with devolved legislative powers. The Scottish and Welsh Ministers require agreement with a Minister of the Crown before implementing regulations.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify the financial implications. The costs will likely involve developing and maintaining the digital service and associated administrative costs.

Groups Affected

• Voters in Scotland and Wales: They will be directly affected by the changes to absent voting application processes, potentially experiencing a more convenient and accessible system.
• Electoral Officials: They will need to adapt their processes to incorporate the new digital service and associated regulations.
• Data Protection Authorities: They will have a role in ensuring compliance with data protection legislation in relation to the use of the new digital system.
• Ministers of the Crown and devolved administrations: They will have responsibilities in implementing and overseeing the new system.

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