City getting ready for early voting trial

A trial offering Cambridge residents the chance to vote early gets underway this week.

Three locations around the city are being turned into polling stations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Guildhall, Meadows Community Centre and the Clay Farm Community Centre will be open between 09:00 (BST) and 18:00 and anyone registered to vote in the city can use any hub.

The city is one of four areas in England taking part in a trial offering different ways to vote. The findings will be analysed by the government and inform future decisions on electoral reform.

There are about 90,000 registered voters in Cambridge City, according to elections manager Vicky Jenner. She has been running ballots in the city for 30 years and is excited about taking part in the trial.

"We think it's really important that people have choice and flexibility in order to vote," she said.

"We chose the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the actual week of polling so that anyone who is going on holiday can go."

She said the trial was creating some extra work for her team, as they had to employ a few extra staff and adapt to new technology.

She explained: "We're using electronic registers to make sure people do only vote once. There has been a lot of testing on it."

Ballot papers this year in Cambridge will contain a QR code, which will be scanned at polling stations.

However, residents can still vote if they do not bring it; it just might take slightly longer.

Voters still needed to bring photographic ID, such as a passport or driving licence.

Returning officer and council chief executive Robert Pollock said he was keen to get involved in the trial when the government announced it adding: "We want to bring voting into the 21st century.

"I think Cambridge is a place that is associated with innovation, so let's test something here. If we can make it work, can it be adopted nationally?"

He said people visiting the three early polling stations may be asked their views on the system, which will form part of the feedback to the government.

He added that voter turnout in Cambridge during local elections was typically around 38%, and he would "love to get over 40%".

Residents can still vote at their regular polling station on Thursday, 7 May, between the hours of 07:00 and 22:00.

Cambridge postal voters can also vote on the day or use one of the hubs.

The city council said at the end of each early voting day, ballot papers would be sealed and stored securely. They would not be opened until counting begins after polls close.

This year, 15 out of the 42 council seats are up for election in Cambridge. Counting will take place on Friday, 8 May.

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