Local Authorities

Electoral Reform Services (ERS) is the foremost provider of electoral services to local authorities in the UK with three quarters of all local authorities choosing ERS as their preferred supplier. Our subsidiary, Xpress Software Solutions, also provides approximately 100 authorities with eXpress elections software.

ERS takes pride in its well deserved reputation for accuracy, on-time delivery and excellence. Each year more and more authorities choose to work with ERS utilising the wide portfolio of services and products on offer, from election stationery to automated registration services.

Our services cover the annual electoral cycle plus one-off projects, such as by-elections, referenda and ballots.

Electoral Registration Services

Over half of all Electoral Registration Officers use the ERS automated telephone, internet and text registration system; over four million households register through our system every year. We also print canvass forms for a growing number of authorities.

As the first organisation to offer an automated registration service, ERS has ensured that the system remains the leader in its field by providing the following to all clients:

• Internet, telephone and text (SMS) options
• An automated telephone service with 1000 lines
• A choice of telephone scripts with the ability to amend these further if required
• Compatibility with all the major electoral software providers' systems
• A secure and monitored internet registration system
• Bi-weekly updates and other interim reports as required
• A real-time reporting tool enabling review and confirmation of registrations (assisting with compliance to the FOI Act).

The internet registration service is available as a no change service, or with additional functionality enabling registrants to amend details, and add or delete occupants. This service is fully flexible and each authority is able to determine the level of functionality required.

Additionally, ERS provides canvass form design and printing and postal vote request form mailing services.

Election Stationery and Postal Voting Packs

ERS produce an extensive range of election stationery including postal voting packs, poll cards and ballot papers. These are used in parliamentary, European and local elections, including by-elections.

Postal vote stationery can be supplied as separate printed and personalised items or as part-filled packs. ERS also offers a full postal vote issue service including ballot paper enclosing.

Since 2004 approximately fifteen million postal ballot packs have been printed, filled and despatched by ERS.

Poll Cards, Ballot Papers and Pre-Election Mailings

ERS is able to offer poll cards and pre-election mailings in a number of different formats for elections and by-elections. We produce a full range of ballot papers including normal and tendered polling station books and ballot papers for postal packs

Our pre-election mailers are also available in a number of formats and ERS also offers a response handling service for all replies.

eXpress Elections Software

eXpress is a complete electoral registration and election management system. All features of the system are accessed via intuitive and easy-to-use Windows styled interfaces, providing optimum performance and functionality while harnessing the power and flexibility offered by Microsoft products.

Further details about eXpress can be found at www.xssl.co.uk

Referendum Services

ERS has an unsurpassed history in the management of referendums for local authorities. Whether an all-postal, online, telephone or SMS process, or indeed a combination of these, ERS has been recommended and chosen by local authorities who need to gauge the opinions of their local residents.

ERS has worked on some of the largest referendums in the UK, including being the sole supplier for both the North East all postal regional referendum and the Edinburgh Congestion charge referendum. Other projects have included running Mayoral and local issues consultative referenda.

Business Improvement District Ballots

Having been appointed to assist with the first BID ballot run in the UK ERS has subsequently undertaken more BID ballots than any other organisation and can offer a unique expertise in this field.

ERS can assist with all elements of the ballot process, from designing and producing suitable literature, to co-ordinating the ballot holder databases and handling all relevant enquiries.