A move to introduce all postal voting for next year's Chelmsford borough council elections failed at a full meeting of the Liberal Democrat led authority last Wednesday.
Labour councillor Russell Kennedy said that all postal voting would increase turnout in local elections, and urged an approach to the government for permission.
"In the Chelmsford borough elections of 1999 the turnout was just 31 per cent - nationally the average was nearly 36 per cent," he said.
He compared this with recent results in Stevenage, where, he said, all-postal voting in a recent election had increased turnout to 53 per cent.
"If we, the politicians, do not make and take every effort to engage the public in the political process, and that includes making it as easy and convenient as possible for people to cast their vote, let us not be surprised to see the public turn their backs on the more traditional way of ensuring that their voice is truly heard."
Cllr Phil Harvey, executive member for economic development, said, "As a matter of principle I am opposed to all postal voting. There are two key tests for a ballot - it should be secret and free from coercion.
"I think that all postal voting removes the right from many of our citizens to participate in democracy in an open way and is far too open to fraud."
Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Rycroft agreed. "All postal voting would be a step backward," she said.
The motion was outvoted.
Published Monday November 4, 2002
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