Following the enlargement of the European Union taking in 10 new states, the number of seats in the region will be reduced from four to three in the 2004 elections. The North East is also holding an all postal ballot after trials in the area seemed to boost turnout. The North East has benefited greatly from European funding in the past which has been of particular help to areas of high unemployment, following the demise of traditional industries like coal mining and shipbuilding.