Case Study: Swindon Borough Council achieves increased turnout, real-time election efficiency and reduced paper use with Civica's Digital Register

Xpress partners with Swindon Borough Council to deliver first fully digital register to be used in UK elections

Swindon Borough Council faced the challenge of implementing the Electoral Commission’s voter ID pilot in May 2018 across 102 polling stations with only a four‑month preparation window. To meet tight deadlines and ensure eligible voters could be efficiently identified, Swindon partnered with Civica using its Xpress electoral management software to develop the UK’s first fully digital polling‑station register.

Civica’s digital register replaced paper lists, used QR‑coded poll cards for instant look‑ups, and delivered real‑time, 360° visibility of polling day. The solution sped up processing, reduced queues, saved printing of around 8,000 documents, and cut staffing needs; turnout rose to 39% (from 34% in 2016) and 86% of polling staff said the election was easier or about the same to manage. Civica’s work was also Highly Commended in the 2019 LGC Awards for driving efficiency through technology.

Swindon Borough Council

Matt Box

Electoral Services Manager