Elections and Registration Services

Description

Birmingham City Council wishes to establish a framework agreement for the provision of Elections and Registration Services. Birmingham Elections Office deals with all elections within the local authority area. This involves dealing with over 750,000 electors, including 75,000 postal voters. There are usually citywide elections at least every 2 years, with local elections scheduled in 2026 and 2030, Police and Crime Commissioner and Combined Authority Mayoral Elections in 2028 and 2032. The General Election will be held at some point before July 2029. This contract would cover all elections held within Birmingham during the life of the contract, including these citywide elections, but also ward by elections, and neighbourhood planning referendums. It would not cover BID Ballots or non-binding local referendums. The contract would also cover the provision of statutory forms relating to Electoral Registration – including all Household correspondence sent out during the annual canvass period (including Canvass Forms, Canvass Communication As and Bs) and Invitations to Register for individual electors. This could amount to mailings to 450,000 properties. The Annual Canvass happens every year (usually between August and November). The framework agreement being procured have been split into 2 Lots, as follows. • Lot 1: A managed postal vote service to handle returned postal votes during elections. • Lot 2: Printing for all statutory elections and electoral registration, including poll cards, ballot papers, postal votes, and any registration or canvass forms The following outcomes are anticipated over the life of the contract as a result of the proposed procurement process to be carried out: • Ensuring all citizens have the opportunity to vote. • Empowering citizens to make their voices heard • Guaranteeing voting access for all eligible citizens • Increasing resident engagement in statutory processes • Providing a secure and accurate result that everyone trusts due to the election being carried out to a high standard in accordance with all relevant legislation