Polling District and Polling Place Review 2023/24

Closed 31 Oct 2023

Opened 2 Oct 2023

Contact

01273 29 1999

electors@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Overview

Brighton & Hove City Council are conducting a full review of its polling districts and polling places under Section 18 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and in line with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.

This review is necessary due to:

  • The statutory requirement for a review to be started and completed within the period of 16 months from 1 October every fifth year after 1 October 2013.
  • The requirement to implement the changes to parliamentary boundaries in Brighton & Hove following the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) Review which completed in July 2023. This review split a polling district in Hanover & Elm Grove ward between Brighton Pavilion and Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven constituencies respectively.

A significant review took place in 2022 following the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s Review of the city’s wards - and the passing of the Elections Act 2022. This Act brought about changes including the introduction of Voter ID. This review will largely confirm the scheme devised in 2022 – making changes only where necessary.

The proposed scheme with follow similar design principles to 2022. These are:

  • Assign a polling place to each polling district and elector
  • So far as is reasonable and practicable, ensure polling places are nearby to electors and located close to public transport routes and local amenities.
  • So far as is reasonable and practicable ensure every polling place has step free access or can be provided with a ramp
  • Help facilitate the safe and efficient administration and delivery of local and parliamentary elections
  • Have a high proportion of double/triple stations. This will enable polling places to benefit from a higher proportion of senior staff who can resolve issues.
  • Ensure most polling stations have between 1,250-1,750 polling station electors. This will ensure that polling stations are not too busy or quiet, staffing resources are best utilised and Electoral Commission ratios do not require further polling station splits.
  • Where possible, limit the use of schools
  • Avoid the use of temporary buildings
  • Implement the BCE parliamentary boundary changes

The Council and Returning Officer would like to use this opportunity, to highlight their appreciation for the continued co-operation of polling places in providing their buildings for the day so that electors have a convenient place to vote.