Postal pilot success as voter apathy smashed (From Warrington Guardian)

Postal pilot success as voter apathy smashed

FOLLOWING the apparent success of last years pilot posting scheme, which saw the turn out at local elections almost double in St Helens, the format is to be extended across the North West come June's European Parliamentary elections.

St Helens Council leader Marie Rimmer welcomed the news and stressed her support for the idea.

"The postal voting system makes it more straightforward and more convenient," she said.

"There was strong local support for postal voting throughout this pilot period, which was underlined by the high turnout."

"A modern council is all about accountability and engaging more effectively with local people."

"Improving voter access is a key part of St Helens Council's modernising agenda."

The scheme last year showed an increase in turn out from 26 per cent in 2002 to 48.1 per cent last year.

Euro MP Terry Wynn was also supportive of the scheme.

He said: "There will be local elections in all the Metropolitan Districts and the Electoral Commission have already recommended that all local elections should be by postal votes."

"It can only be good that people are encouraged to vote and postal voting is the future for local and European elections."

"It is now up to the people of our region to show that this pilot scheme can work."