The Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture commissioned Pragmatica to undertake an external process evaluation of the Election Access Fund Act 2020 and Election Access Fund. The Election Access Fund Act 2020 supports disabled people to participate as candidates in general elections. The evaluation reviewed the operation and effectiveness of the Act and Fund, as required by section 10 of the Act.

Originating as a private member’s Bill from Mojo Mathers, the Election Access Fund Act 2020 passed with cross-party support in March 2020 and came into force in July 2021. The Act’s purpose is to “remove or reduce barriers to standing as a candidate in a general election or by-election that are faced by individuals as a consequence of their disability and which non-disabled individuals do not face” support a potentially more representative Parliament.

The Election Access Fund Act 2020 Act established the Election Access Fund, administered by the Electoral Commission and first implemented for the 2023 General Election. The Fund is available for disability-related costs such as sign language interpreters, accessible transport, special equipment, support assistants and personal assistants.

The evaluation report was recently published. Overall, we determined the Electoral Commission did well in implementing the Act, and in designing and operating the Fund. An overall rating of ‘good’ was provided in terms of administration, meeting expectations, and operational effectiveness.

The Election Access Fund (the Fund) provides an important signal that disabled people are welcome as parliamentary candidates. One Fund recipient saw the Fund as a ‘game changer’ for the disabled community and the democratic system.

The evaluation report and associated review literature can be found here.