I know the UK election is past us - however I thought this was an excellent article on the subject and upon the evolutionary/normative nature of interpretation in general …
Shari‘ah’s view on Muslim participation in elections
By Shaykh Michael Mumisa
Muslim participation in the recent general elections became an issue of intense debate in Britain between those calling for Muslims’ full participation in the voting process and those who considered voting in a Western democracy as act of apostasy. A number of websites and literature were produced telling Muslims that if they voted they would be consigned to the fire of hell. There was concern among some politicians and Muslim organizations that some Muslims, particularly the youth and women, would decide not to participate in the elections and thereby further marginalizing themselves. The voice of those opposed to the elections became louder and more aggressive. Pro-election meetings were invaded by groups of angry youth opposed to Muslim participation in the elections…