The value of poll-worker voice in the delivery of elections

Elections are the pivotal political institution used to confer legitimacy in almost all states. Decision making on election policy is usually elite-driven and top-down in nature. This article applies the concept of workplace democracy, originally proposed by Carole Pateman, to explore the voices of poll workers involved in delivering elections on the ground. Theories of workplace democracy argue participation should not be limited to the ballot box, but should also include other voices with views on how an organisation is run. The article uses original data from poll workers who implemented an important election policy reform – voter identification – at the first countrywide English elections that made this a formal requirement. It explores their views about how the electoral process could be improved. It argues that poll workers’ perspectives are important to facilitate bottom-up policy design and learning – and to detect democratic defects. Poll workers reported virtually no suspected cases of personation, although this was no different to previous elections. Voter identification did, however, restrict legitimate participation, particularly of women. Poll workers made several suggestions for improving the voter experience. Listening to these voices provides an important input to strengthen electoral democracy with bottom-up voices contributing to the design of political institutions.