Government to trial weekend voting and shopping centre poll stations

The government has announced that some voters in May elections will be able to vote in a shopping centre and on weekends in a bid to make voting easier.

Four areas will take part in the trial, which will give people more choice over where and when they vote.

In Milton Keynes, people will be able to vote at centre:mk, instead of at a designated poling station.

In Cambridge, Tunbridge Wells and North Hertfordshire, people will be able to vote in person ahead of the election, including at the weekend.

Future pilots could include mobile voting stations that could travel to different locations including care homes or universities.

Minister for Democracy Samantha Dixon 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.

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."