Some voters in England will be able to cast their ballot in a
shopping centre and on weekends as part of plans to make voting
easier and more convenient for people during May's local
elections.
The way we vote at the polling booth has not changed since 1872.
Four areas are taking part in new pilots which will give people
more choice over where and when they vote, by turning popular
venues into polling booths and letting people vote before polling
day.
In Milton Keynes, voters can have their say in the city's main
shopping centre - centre:mk - rather than being
restricted to a single designated polling station. This could
eventually be rolled out across the country in future
elections along high streets and in town
centres.
People in Cambridge, Tunbridge Wells and North Hertfordshire
will be able to cast their vote
in person ahead of the election, including
on the weekend. This will stop people being limited to
just one polling day.
Voters in these places will be able to visit central
buildings across their area at a time that suits them, such as
the Guildhall in Cambridge's city centre.
This will make voting more convenient, accessible and
efficient for local people – and could eventually happen in
all UK elections.
Minister for Democracy said:
The way we vote in person has not adapted to people's busy lives,
with voters often given no choice but to cast their ballot at
strictly set polling stations within limited hours.
Our trials will make polling days more convenient and test out
the first real changes for over 100 years, bringing our democracy
into the 21st century.
Further plans for future pilots could include mobile voting
stations that travel to different locations, potentially
including care homes, universities, or community centres. Other
plans could include voters casting their vote at any polling
station within the local authority area rather than being
restricted to a designated location.
At the same time the integrity and security of the UK's
voting system will continue to be protected, with
participating local authorities using existing safeguards, and
robust technology, with strong support from the
government throughout.
Local authorities will continue to operate traditional
polling stations alongside the new options, and people will
still be able to vote by post or proxy, meaning voters can
choose the method that works best for them.
This comes alongside the government's landmark Representation of
the People Bill which reduces barriers to participation
including a landmark change to give votes to 16 year olds, along
with tougher rules on political donations to tackle risks around
foreign interference in our democracy.
Peter Stanyon, Chief Executive of the Association of
Electoral Administrators, said:
These pilots are a great start to exploring different ways
to offer electors greater choice about when and where they cast
their vote. Weekend and early voting, plus voting hubs at places
like shopping centres, are used to good effect in many
democracies and we hope will also be successful
here. Well done to the election teams who have stepped
up to take these pilots forward, we look forward to learning from
you.
William Benson, Chief Executive and Returning
Officer for Tunbridge Wells borough
said:
I am very pleased that Tunbridge Wells is part of
the pilot scheme. It's important that every eligible
elector uses their vote and three hubs in key locations across
the borough will make it even easier.
Voters can be assured these new arrangements are just as secure
as the polling stations they're used to, and the same helpful
staff will be there to guide people through the process.
Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Pete
Marland said:
Milton Keynes is proud to be leading the way as the UK's first
pilot area for a central voting hub, making it easier and more
convenient for people to vote. We're committed to
improving democratic participation, and this innovative approach
will give residents greater flexibility.
Melanie Stimpson, Democratic Services Manager and
Returning Officer for
North Hertfordshire said:
We are very pleased to have been selected to take part
in the flexible voting pilots. We know that people lead busy
lives and face real challenges in finding time to
vote. Being able to explore new
approaches is important to understand how we can better
support of residents and collaborate our Council priorities of
thriving committees and accessible services.
Robert Pollock, Returning Officer for the City of
Cambridge:
Cambridge is renowned for science and tech innovation. We want to
bring that mindset to test how we can make voting more inclusive
and convenient for all our residents. We already have higher than
average turnout in Cambridge. I'd really like this
trial to help us get to over 40% at the May local elections.
