Pay per vote... what's the cost of democracy?

What price democracy? All elections are expensive to stage and the bills are inevitably picked up by the tax-payer. In 2024's poll for the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, the turnout tumbled by more than 10%. Local democracy reporter Simon Finlay discovered how much your vote really cost

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LAST year, the electorate appeared even more overwhelmed by indifference at who would become the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner than they were in 2021.

Matthew Scott, the Conservative candidate, was re-elected on a 20.22% turnout compared to 31.8% previously, the latter bolstered by being held on the same day as Kent County Council polls.

Freedom of Information (Fol) requests to borough and district councils have laid bare the true cost of democracy in the county - and it is an average of £11.62 per vote.

A vote in Dartford cost the taxpayer an eye-watering £16.77 while at the other end of the spectrum, a ballot cast in Maidstone had a price tag of £3.46, reduced because a borough council election was held on the same day.

In Sevenoaks, each vote cost £14.60 (18,004 votes were cast at a cost of £263,861) and in Tonbridge and Malling it was £10.33 (19,784 votes at a cost of £204,392).

We also discovered, less scientifically, that people we spoke to did not recognise Mr Scott or knew what he does.

The office of the commissioner holds Kent Police to account, sets budgets and appoints the chief constable.

Of the 13 local authority areas approached, nine eventually offered up the information after three Fol attempts.

Mr Scott is not fazed by the apparent lack of value each vote represents.

He said: "I appreciate what you are trying to say about the cost of running the election but democracy is priceless."