Overview

This bill makes various amendments to existing electoral legislation in the UK, primarily focusing on improving the electoral registration process, clarifying the evidence required for registration, and adjusting timelines for boundary reviews. It also addresses the issue of voters arriving at polling stations after the official closing time.

Description

The Lords Amendments to the Electoral Registration and Administration Bill encompass several key changes:

• Evidence for Electoral Registration: The bill clarifies the types of evidence that registration officers can request from applicants to verify their identity and eligibility to vote. It specifies that regulations outlining acceptable evidence will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
• Parliamentary Boundary Reviews: The bill postpones the deadlines for reports from the Boundary Commission, shifting them from 2013 to 2018, and further adjusting related deadlines in the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 to 2020.
• Voters Arriving Late at Polling Stations: The bill grants the right to vote to individuals who are present at or in a queue outside a polling station when the poll closes.
• Miscellaneous Amendments: The bill introduces several other minor amendments to existing electoral legislation, including changes to the timing of electoral register publications and updates to the definitions and procedures involved in the electoral registration process.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated in the provided text. The changes primarily relate to administrative processes and timelines, rather than direct financial allocations. Any cost implications would likely be related to administrative adjustments required to implement the new regulations and deadlines.

Groups Affected

The bill affects several groups:

• Electoral Registration Officers: They will have new responsibilities regarding evidence requirements and processes.
• Voters: The bill aims to make the registration process more streamlined and may affect the type of evidence required to register. Voters arriving late at polling stations will now be permitted to vote.
• Political Parties: Changes to boundary reviews and registration processes may impact party organization and campaigning strategies.
• Parliament: The bill introduces provisions for parliamentary oversight and approval of certain regulations.

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