Continuing Voter ID challenges in 2026 Elections

Democracy Volunteers observed the electoral process in all of the new Welsh Senedd constituencies, 61 Scottish Parliamentary constituencies as well as every London Borough and numerous other councils across England. In total, the number of observers, experts and support staff was over 200 at this election.

These observers generally formed teams of two, sometimes three, and attended 1,165 polling stations, across these constituencies and local authority areas.

Democracy Volunteers’ observers spent between 30 and 45 minutes at each polling venue observing the voting process and then completed an online survey, regarding the integrity of the electoral process, for each polling station.
FINAL REPORT - Westminster General Election July 2024
Democracy Volunteers observed the electoral process in 204 Westminster parliamentary constituencies across the UK. The organisation deployed two or more observers to each constituency. In total, the number of observers, experts and support staff was over 200 at this election.
Democracy Under Threat? The Hidden Toll on Local Election Candidates
As part of Democracy Volunteers’ election observation for the 2025 English Local Elections, held on May 1st, the team worked with students from Manchester University to assess the impact on local election candidates because of the threats they receive.
Breaches of the Secret Ballot and how to prevent them
Democracy Volunteers has been observing elections in the UK for 10 years. We see breaches of the secret ballot across the UK and we think it is important to explain more about it and how it should be possible to limit or prevent it.

What is the secret ballot? Introduced...
Democracy Volunteers backs Paris ‘Call for Action’ on Election Observation
Our director Dr John Ault has backed the international call to action on election observation. On the 29th of April, within the framework of the New Democratic Pact for Europe, the conference (Towards Trusted and Inclusive Electoral Processes: The Role of Observers) called on the Council of Europe’s member...
Observers Deployed from Orkney to Ynys Môn & from Isleworth to the Isle of Wight
Democracy Volunteers has deployed observers across Great Britain for the largest election observation since the 2024 UK General Election.

Our Work

DV condemns imprisonment of Russian election observer Melkonyants

(Photo Courtesy of SOTA)

The team at Democracy Volunteers has today condemned the Russian government for imprisoning Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of the Russian election observation group GOLOS, to five years...

Election Observers deployed across every election in England

From Kent in the South East to Lancashire in the North West and from Northumberland in the North East to Cornwall in the South West, Democracy Volunteers deployed election...

Observing Finland – on Europe’s Frontline of Democracy

On April 13th, Democracy Volunteers deployed 16 observers across Finland for the municipal and county elections. The team visited the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Rauma, Turku, Pori, Kotka, Tampere...

Ireland 2024 General Election – DV calls for clarity over Election Observation

Democracy Volunteers deployed a small team of observers to Ireland for the 2024 General Election. The team observed in Dublin and Kildare.

Because of the decentralised nature of Irish elections, election...

DV Urges German Authorities To Consider New Ways To Build Trust In Election Process

A small group of Democracy Volunteers’ election observers deployed to the German Bundestag elections on Sunday 23 rd February, focusing their work on the elections in Berlin. The team attended several...

‘The US election was extremely well-run and staffed by dedicated election professionals’ – says Democracy Volunteers

The presidential and congressional elections of 2024 were no different were an important election for Democracy Volunteers to observe. The election was highly contentious and saw the return of...

FINAL REPORT – Westminster Parliamentary By-Elections May 2023 to May 2024

Since May 2023, Democracy Volunteers has observed each of the Westminster Parliamentary By-elections across the UK. The organisation deployed between two and eight observers to each by-election. These observers...

FINAL REPORT – England and Wales Local, Mayoral, and PCC Elections 2024

On May 2nd, Democracy Volunteers deployed 150 observers, and support team, from the 435 Democracy Volunteers observers accredited with the UK's Electoral Commission. The organisation deployed across 85 of...

FINAL REPORT – Netherlands Parliamentary Elections 2023

The elections, based on the sample of 143 polling stations we observed, were very well run by elections staff. Our observation team, in the vast majority of cases, were...

FINAL REPORT – Gibraltar General Election 2023

The observation team were impressed by the conduct of staff throughout polling day, and staff were appropriately welcoming of voters and our team of election observers. Staff conducted the...

FINAL REPORT – Netherlands Provincial and Waterboard Elections 2023

The elections, based on the sample of 53 polling stations we observed, were very well run by elections staff. Our observation team, in the vast majority of cases, were...

FINAL REPORT English Local Elections 2023

On May 4th, Democracy Volunteers deployed more than 150 observers, and support team, of the 376 Democracy Volunteers observers accredited with the UK's Electoral Commission. The organisation deployed across...