As legislation looks at the electoral system, returning officer Trevor Holden says local government has a responsibility to make sure there is integrity and engagement on the ground

As we head rapidly towards the end of the year eagerly awaiting the details for the implementation of the Elections Bill. It is all too easy for us to get wrapped up in the delivery of a process and a mantra to deliver photo IDs or greater control over the way postal votes are handled or harvested depending on your viewpoint.

But at the end of whatever process evolves, is an electorate made up of individuals with differing views, values and politics. An electorate which has relatively low engagement, but this should not be misconstrued as a lack of commitment or interest from those that are or want to engage. Our fundamental responsibility as returning officers is to ensure that the process is easy and clear to engage with.

During a recent by-election the fact that ‘My vote matters’ was made very clear by two case studies that warrant being shared. My first example was both moving and humbling. It was a wild day with plenty of rain to deter voters from casting their votes in a local district by-election, at a time when national politics might also mitigate against people wanting to engage.