Milton Keynes to be first UK city trialling central voting hub at local elections tomorrow

Tomorrow morning, people across Milton Keynes won’t need to head to their local polling stations to cast their vote, instead, they can do it while they’re out shopping.

Located inside Midsummer Place near Waterstones, the Central Voting Hub provides an alternative for voters living, working, or visiting the city centre who might otherwise need to travel to their usual polling station.

The hub will be open from 7am to 10pm, allowing voters to receive a ballot paper for the ward they’re registered in, just like they would at their local polling station.

Milton Keynes City Council's election this year sees a record-breaking 310 candidates fighting for the 60 seats up for grabs, across 21 wards.

Milton Keynes is the only UK authority participating in a Government pilot for a Polling Day Central Voting Hub, which aims to offer greater convenience.

Approximately 700 election staff have been recruited and trained, and secure digital systems are set up at all 133 polling stations.

Returning Officer, Sharon Bridgalsingh said: “Turnout at local elections is roughly 30% so, I'd like to see that increase.

“One of the ways we can do that is by bringing the polling station to a more convenient location because even though polls are open from 7am to 10pm, busy working people don't always have the time.”

She added: “At any point in time, all of our 133 polling stations are speaking to one another, and that is precisely to prevent anyone from voting twice on the day.”

Centre Manager, Simon Martin at Midsummer Place said: “Hosting the UK’s first city centre Central Voting Hub at Midsummer Place is something we’re incredibly proud to support."

Voters are reminded to bring photographic ID to receive a ballot paper, as with all polling stations.

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