In May 2002, Sheffield City Council ran an innovative eVoting pilot scheme to increase voter participation and, ultimately, act as a catalyst for wider eDemocracy initiatives such as the forthcoming city-wide deployment of multi-purpose smart cards and online consultations. The project was funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and involved close cooperation between Central and Local Government to ensure that the broader benefits extended beyond election day itself.
In order to ensure maximum social inclusion, voters in Sheffield were able to choose from the widest range of new voting technologies ever deployed:
- The internet, telephone and mobile phone text-messaging enabled busy commuters, the housebound and the disabled to cast their ballot at the time and location of their choice.
- Traditional voters were able to cast their ballot by post or at the polling place. However, the introduction of computerised voter registration lists enabled them to vote at a polling station of their choice, rather a pre-assigned one.
- The introduction of smart cards (via voluntary take up and use) for Voter Authentication represented an important milestone in the introduction of citizencentred, joined-up eGovernment.
- Specially designed public kiosks helped the elderly and others less familiar with new technologies to vote in an accessible and easy-to-use format at conveniently situated city locations.
Main results, benefits and impacts
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Return on investment
Return on investment: Not applicable / Not availableLessons learnt
As a result of the initiative, Sheffield City Council is now implementing a comprehensive election/eDemocracy modernization process that is resolving the issue of citizen authentication through smart cards and setting the stage for reinvigorated EU elections in the UK.
Scope: Local (city or municipality)