For the first time in 154 years, major changes are coming to local elections in England, with some voters now able to cast their ballots in shopping centres or across multiple days. The trials, announced by the government, aim to modernise the voting process and make it more convenient for citizens.
New Voting Options in Milton Keynes
Residents of Milton Keynes will be able to vote at the Midsummer Place shopping centre on May 7, combining their trip to the polls with everyday errands like picking up a newspaper or a pint of milk. This marks a significant departure from the traditional single polling station model.
Extended Voting Days in Three Areas
Meanwhile, voters in Cambridge, Tunbridge Wells, and North Hertfordshire were given the opportunity to vote over the weekend before the full-scale election on Thursday. This flexibility means these areas are not limited to a single polling day, allowing residents more time to participate.
The changes represent the first major overhaul of the voting system since the Secret Ballot Act of 1872, which introduced private voting in the UK. Samantha Dixon, the Minister for Democracy, stated: “The way we vote in person has not adapted to people’s busy lives, with voters often given no choice but to cast their ballot at strictly set polling stations within limited hours. 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.”
How to Vote in the 2026 Local Elections
For those not participating in the trials, traditional polling stations remain open from 7am to 10pm across England. Voters must bring photo ID to cast their ballot. Counting begins on May 8, with most councils announcing results throughout the afternoon, though some smaller councils may continue into May 9.
Future Possibilities: Mobile and Flexible Voting
Future pilots could introduce mobile voting stations at locations such as care homes, universities, or community centres to further increase accessibility. Labour has also proposed allowing voters to cast their ballot at any polling place within their local authority area, rather than being restricted to a single location.
Central hubs for the trials include:
- Cambridge: Guildhall, The Clay Farm Centre, and The Meadows Community Centre.
- North Hertfordshire: Coombs Community Centre, Royston Leisure Centre, and Royston Town Hall.
- Tunbridge Wells: Royal Victoria Place shopping centre, Vestry Hall in Cranbrook, and Paddock Wood community centre.
Traditional polling places will continue to operate alongside these new options, and voters can still choose to vote by post or by proxy. The government has pledged to publish trial results later this year to inform future electoral reform decisions.
Could Online Voting Ever Come to the UK?
While countries like the USA, India, Brazil, and Estonia have introduced online voting, the UK currently only allows in-person, postal, or proxy voting. Experts have raised concerns that online voting could facilitate fraud, hacking, or phishing. In 2005, Germany’s supreme court ruled electronic voting unconstitutional due to the inability to trace ballots. Similarly, Ireland abandoned electronic voting in 2002 over security concerns, and the Netherlands reverted to paper in 2017 to avoid hacking risks.
Local elections across England, along with Senedd elections in Wales and Holyrood elections in Scotland, will take place on May 7. These trials represent a significant step towards modernising the UK's democratic processes.
