Weekend voting to be piloted in May elections

Some voters in May's local elections will be able to cast their ballot in a shopping centre and on a weekend as part of plans to make voting easier.

Tunbridge Wells, Cambridge, North Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes will all take part in pilots which could eventually be rolled out across England.

Democracy minister Samantha Dixon said the trials would "test out the first real changes for over 100 years, bringing our democracy into the 21st Century."

Findings from the experiment will be published later this year and inform future decisions on electoral reform.

The government said the proposals could lead to voters having more choice over where and when they voted and encourage more electoral participation.

In Milton Keynes, voters will be able to vote in the city's centre:mk shopping centre, rather than being tied to a single polling station.

In Tunbridge Wells, Cambridge, and North Hertfordshire people will be able to vote in person ahead of the election, including on the weekend, rather than being limited to one polling day.

In these places people will be able to visit central buildings to vote at a time that suits them.

Democracy minister Samantha Dixon said: "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."

Tunbridge Wells council boss, William Benson, said it was important people voted, adding: "Voters can be assured these new arrangements are just as secure as the polling stations they're used to."

Authorities will still have traditional polling stations and people will continue to be able to vote by post or proxy.

Future pilots could include mobile voting stations and people being able to vote at any polling station in their council area.

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