YORK MP Hugh Bayley has called on John Prescott to change the electoral rules so that everyone has a postal vote.
Mr Bayley wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister after 9,000 people voted by post this year when the scheme was piloted in York.
Currently, anyone who votes by post needs to fill out a request form. Mr Bayley's proposal would mean voters would automatically be sent a ballot paper in the post.
In his letter, Mr Bayley said that the Government should tackle the problem of decreasing voter numbers.
He said: "Postal votes are not the only answer to the problem, but they are part of the answer. Where it's been tried out, 100 per cent postal voting has increased the vote.
"People who are genuine about wanting to increase voter participation will back 100 per cent postal voting."
Updated: 10:07 Saturday, September 13, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article