Published Wednesday 22 November 2023 at 17:10
Following a review and public consultation, some places residents go to vote in elections may change.
Blackburn with Darwen councillors will consider recommendations for polling places changes at the Policy Council meeting on Thursday 30 November.
The review has taken into consideration, where relevant, the recommendations for changes to the UK Parliamentary constituency boundaries and the impact of the voter ID requirements introduced by the Elections Act 2022.
The review also considered various feedback received following recent elections, and from visiting a number of existing and proposed polling places and stations across the borough, as well as feedback from schools that are used as polling stations.
The Council also considered the number of polling stations allocated for a given electorate. The physical geography of a ward, including railway lines, dual carriageways, the shape of the ward itself, was also taken into account. Other factors taken into consideration included the situation of polling places/stations in relation to wider amenities and the main transport routes within a ward.
The recommendations are for the vast majority of polling stations to remain the same, although some polling district boundaries within existing electoral wards are to be amended to take account of new housing developments. Electoral ward boundaries are not changing.
Denise Park, Chief Executive and Returning Officer for Blackburn with Darwen, commented:
Local authorities have a duty to regularly review their polling places, including polling district boundaries within electoral wards and polling station locations.
When designating polling places, we must ensure that set criteria are met relating to the location, facilities – including private areas for checking voters’ photo ID – accessibility, health and safety, and space.
This review has taken these criteria into account, alongside feedback from voters, elected members, election agents, our two members of parliament, schools used as polling stations, and the general public.
Once agreed, the new polling arrangements would be implemented at the next scheduled local government elections on 2 May 2024 – or earlier in the event of a General Election or a referendum.
The implementation of the new polling arrangements will require some changes to the electoral register. The new electoral register will be published on 1 February 2024, following a statutory 14 day notice period.
Read the full report with recommendations for changes to polling places following the review.