UK 2021 Local Elections – The role of the Association of Electoral Administrators

Against a background of deteriorating informational environments, falling trust in state institutions and growing electoral result disputation, electoral processes and those who administer them are increasingly being placed under the microscope. Ensuring that the integrity of elections withstand such scrutiny and that voters remain informed and engaged falls largely to election trainers and educators, and it is their vital work that is the focus of the first series of Peer-to-Peer, International IDEA’s new elections podcast. 

Through interviews with electoral trainers and educators from around the world, the first series explores how different election commissions tackle the thorny issues affecting their field. How can thousands of temporary poll workers be prepared for election day operations in a short space of time? How can election training be delivered during a pandemic? How can voters be motivated to cast their ballot?  

At this Peer-to-Peer episode, Erik Asplund and David Towriss explore the pioneering electoral training education carried out by the Association of Electoral Administrators within UK’s decentralized system of election administration. 

In conversation with the Association’s Chief Executive Peter Stanyon, they learn how this independent, membership-based organization provides training support to the electoral officers at the heart of UK electoral administration and how their professional electoral administration qualification has become a staple across the country. Peter also reflects on the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had upon the Association’s training delivery in the lead up to the UK’s local elections in May 2021.