Have your say on availability and accessibility of Polling Places
In accordance with legislation, local authorities are required to undertake a statutory review of their parliamentary polling districts and polling places every five years. This includes current polling districts and the suitability of the buildings and rooms used on election days for polling purposes.
Each polling district has a designated polling place for use on election days, providing suitable facilities which are accessible to all electors.
Residents across East Lothian are asked to provide their views on the location and accessibility of their local Polling Place. The link to the consultation online is: Statutory Review of Polling Districts & Polling Places - East Lothian Council - Citizen Space (eastlothianconsultations.co.uk)
East Lothian Council Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Monica Patterson, said: “Our Elections Team always aim to locate polling places within a convenient distance for the majority of electors' homes and with the premises being easy to find and accessible to all. It can be difficult to find the perfect premises and securing permission to use them, but we always aim to provide the best possible solution.
“As part of the consultation the proposed polling districts and places along with maps can be viewed online and paper copies are also available at Brunton Hall, Musselburgh and John Muir House, Haddington. We’re keen to hear the views of local residents regarding the location and accessibility of our polling places to ensure they are accessible for all voters.”
The consultation will run from 4 December 2023 until 29 January 2024, providing members of the public, elected members, MP, MSPs, political parties, community groups and disability groups an opportunity to comment on the proposals. Any persons or bodies making representations should, if possible, give alternative places that may be used as polling places.
The following criteria has been used to assess polling places as part of this review:
- Availability
- Accessibility
- Safety, for both staff and voters
- Current electorate
- Projected electorate
- Number of postal voters
Any representations should, if possible, give alternative places that may be used as a polling place.
Comments should be sent to:
- By email: elections@eastlothian.gov.uk
- By post: Elections Office, East Lothian Council, John Muir House, Haddington EH41 3HA
All responses must be submitted by 29 January 2024.