Annex 1: Terms of reference
On 16 January 2014 the Political and Constitutional
Reform Committee agreed to inquire into voter engagement in the
UK, and called for evidence on the following questions.
Reasons for and impact of low voter engagement
· What
are the main factors that have contributed to low voter turnout
in recent UK elections?
· What are the
main factors that affect voter registration?
· To what extent
does the public's perception of MPs, Parliament, the Government
and events such as Prime Minister's questions affect voter registration
and turnout?
· What role does
the media play in this context?
· What socioeconomic
factors affect registration and turnout and what, if anything,
can we learn from this about how to improve voter registration
and turnout?
· What are the
costs to society of low voter registration and turnout?
Improving voter turnout
· What
are the principal ways in which voter registration and turnout
could be improved?
· What lessons
can be learnt from other countries where voter registration and
turnout is higher?
· To what extent
could electoral reform, rebuilding political parties or changes
to party funding improve public engagement and voter turnout?
· In what ways
could new technologies be used to encourage people to vote?
· What would
be the advantages and disadvantages of allowing voters to register
on the day of an election?
· How can arrangements
for British citizens living abroad to register for and vote in
elections in the UK be improved?
| 
