Voter Registration and Eligibility to Vote
A basic concern of voter information campaigns for voting operations is to ensure that people are aware if they are eligible to register to vote and that all those who are eligible to vote are encouraged to be registered to vote. The manner and timing of this will be dependent on the registration philosophy and systems used, as well as the deadline for voter registration for an election. Since this message is also a basic concern of voter education campaigns, information and education strategies in this regard require close integration. (For further discussion of education/information activities for voter registration, see The Private Sector.)
There may be four stages to information campaigns regarding voter registration and eligibility to vote:
- information on registration qualifications, methods and facilities, and the need to register to vote to have a voice in choosing political representatives (in this latter message overlapping with voter education campaigns) during the voter registration period;
- information on availability of voters registers for inspection to ensure details on the register are correct, and on methods of amendment or challenge of any incorrect details entered in the register;
- where additions to and amendment of voters registers is allowed up to a cut-off point close to voting day, a further intensive information campaign promoting correct voter registration aimed at those who become interested in registering only when an election is imminent, or who have moved to a new address or become eligible to vote since registers were last compiled;
- following closing of voter registration and on voting day, information on voting day registration where this is allowed under the election system.
The relatively simple, self-contained messages required (e.g., not only to register but to verify registration information is correct), supported by information on where to get further information, or obtain registration forms, lend themselves to a wide range of print, aural and video media. They are also usefully reinforced by increasing the intensity of voter education meetings and activities at the critical points in the registration process, particularly immediately before the registration deadline for an election.
Where there are legal requirements that voters register inspection periods and locations be publicly advertised, this is better implemented in a prominent way, rather than by barely fulfilling legal notice requirements. The benefit of correct voters lists to election integrity is greater than the costs of encouraging voters to check that register details are correct and of processing resulting amendments. Even in voter registration systems where it is held that the onus is on the individual to maintain correct registration, rather than on the electoral management body, public information campaigns encouraging correct registration are necessary to gain this same net benefit. (For further discussion of voter registration onus, see Self-initiated versus State-Initiated Registration.)
Targeting of Information
Specific targeting of voter registration and eligibility information campaigns, through analysing progressive data during the voter registration period, will increase coverage and cost-effectiveness.
Correlations between age and gender splits in population and voter registration data will provide information on age/gender groups under-represented in registered voters, and allow targeting of media and locations effective for reaching high proportions of these.
Similarly, correlations between population and registered voters on a locality basis will provide data on geographic areas that are under-represented in registered voters, and allow targeting of these geographic areas, through meetings, local media, and distribution of posters and pamphlets.
Population mobility statistics will allow identification of areas of greater or more frequent population movement, and similar targeting of information campaigns encouraging checking of voters registers and provision of amended registration details.
Relationship to Voter Registration Systems
The timing, emphasis and intensity of information campaigns on this issue will be different according to whether a continuous registration system, a census-style registration well before voting day, or a civil registry base is used to compile voters lists. There will also be a greater need to provide intensive information on voter registration facilities and methods in systems where voters are required to register to vote.
Continuous Voter Registration Systems
Where a continuous registration system is used, information on the advantages of retaining correct voter registration is also useful on a continuous basis, even if relatively low key or provided as part of voter education activities. Simple print messages and registration forms can be targeted at relevant locations, such as property agencies and other utilities (electricity, gas, telephone, postal services and the like) likely to be used or contacted by voters when changing address, schools where senior students are likely to attain voting age, or combined with applications, information and accounts produced by these agencies and utilities.
Continuous information campaigns encouraging voters to maintain correct voter registration assists in achieving one of the major benefits of continuous registration systems--the elimination of an overwhelming number of new registrations and amendments to be verified and processed at the deadline for registration for an election. This will not negate the need to implement an intensive information campaign leading up to the deadline for registration for an election. Even in continuous systems, many voters will not bother to apply for or amend registration details until an election is imminent. (For further information, see Voter Education.)
Census-Style Registration Systems
Where census-style registration systems are used, the focus of registration information messages will be within the census period and in any later period for review and amendment of registration details. Where these periods are well before voting day, the voter information campaigns can focus solely on the registration issue. However, in spite of this, they may require a higher intensity level, as they are not feeding off other election information and publicity. (For further information, see Voter Education .)
Civil Registry Systems
Where voters lists are extracted from civil registry records, a different approach may be needed. The initial information needs to be more generally directed at persons ensuring that they change civil registration details when required by law to do so. The voter information emphasis will generally be more useful if it concentrates on encouraging voters to check, during any period for verification, that the extract of civil registry records to form voters lists contains correct data, and the processes for amendment of outdated or incorrect data. (For further information, see Voter and Civic Education.)
Voting Methods
Where voters can vote only in voting stations in their own electoral district on voting day, information on voting methods can be contained in voter information campaigns on voting procedures (see Information on Voting Station Procedures) and voting locations (see Information on Voting Locations and Hours).
Special Voting Facilities
Where additional methods of voting are provided for voters who cannot attend their normal voting station on voting day, information needs to be provided during the voting operations period on what additional facilities are available and qualifications required for using them.
As information on special voting facilities can be complex, it is generally better organised on two levels--general coverage through media, meetings, posters, public displays to create awareness of the types of facilities available and basic qualifications required, with specific information then available on contact with inquiry offices or telephone inquiry services. Targeting of particular geographic areas, institutions and relevant public facilities with print information is an effective back-up to mass communication.
General information showing the types of special voting facilities available, a simple description of qualifications required for using them, and contact details for more detailed information can also be provided:
- at voter registration offices;
- at register revision facilities;
- by the people conducting census-style voter registration;
- in voters guides delivered to electors (see Information Direct to Voters).
Early and Absentee Voting
The commencement of the information campaigns for early voting would preferably commence at the start of the elections period, and build in intensity until the commencement of early voting. Specific focus of the information will vary according to the early and absentee voting systems used, but will need to cover:
- methods of early and absentee voting available (e.g., in person or by mail) and the period within which various facilities are available;
- qualifications that voters must satisfy to be eligible for early or absentee voting (e.g., absence from electoral district on voting day, illness, military service);
- when and where voting materials are available for absentee and early voting;
- as voting day approaches, reminders to return ballot material;
- where absentee voting also occurs on voting day, the voting stations with absentee voting facilities and any special requirements for absentee voters on voting day.
In addition to general information campaigns, placement of printed information pamphlets in locations such as major rail, bus, air, sea terminals, travel agencies, and military bases (if armed forces qualify for absentee voting) can effectively reach potential early and absentee voters.
Mobile Voting Stations
Where mobile voting stations are operating in institutions, advance notice of the times at which voting is being conducted should be publicly displayed in the institution. There may also be advantages in wider public display of information on such facilities, though this will need to be balanced against the possibility of this resulting in voters not eligible to use these facilities attempting to use them to vote. Arrangements may also need to be made for special provision of material on voting procedures to institutions to be covered by mobile voting stations.
Where mobile voting stations are operating in remote areas, liaison with the relevant communities is required to announce the date and hours for voting. There may be difficulty in providing voter information to such remote communities before voting day. Mobile voting station staff may need to provide much of the voter information, from materials and by personal explanation, during the hours of voting (see Information at Voting Locations). Their training should be at an appropriate level for this.
Voting Abroad
Where foreign country voting is available, information on eligibility and how to vote in a foreign country is made continuously available through the election management body. Specific campaigns throughout the election period will generally be required as reinforcement. Locations for placing material for this could include travel agencies, foreign missions of the home country, airports and similar points of departure, and in media abroad. (For an example of such information material, see Overseas at an Election Pamphlet - New Zealand.)
Other Special Voting Facilities
Where special voting arrangements are made for prisoners or other relatively smal, specialised categories of voters, information on the methods and time of voting is better specifically targeted to the individual voters and the institutions in which they are resident. Armed forces may also fall into this category. There can be risks in sending this information only to institutional management for distribution. Depending on the level of understanding of the principles of rights to vote, it may not reach the affected voters.
Completion of Ballots
Voters using special voting facilities may also require additional information on how to complete specialised ballot material. (For further discussion of this issue, see Information on How to Ensure a Vote is Valid.)
