Understanding the integrity of the electoral process is central to the democratic process, as recent events in the USA have demonstrated. Dr Alistair Clark’s fascinating research on electoral integrity and administration in Britain has made a significant contribution to not only an important societal debate, but has also impacted on practical policymaking. Research findings derived from data on returning officers’ performance standards and original surveys into electoral administration, show evidence of variation in electoral administrative performance across Britain, and that increased spending here led to improved performance in running elections. Furthermore, people being incorrectly registered is the most common problem experienced by polling station workers, rather than the more commonly claimed idea of election fraud. Clark’s research findings have contributed directly to policy debates on a number of issues related to electoral integrity and management, and have been presented in evidence to various parliamentary committees.
You can find out more about research here.
