Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

Overview

In accordance with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 all local authorities are required to complete a formal review of their parliamentary polling districts and polling places at least every five years.  The purpose of the review is to ensure that all polling districts and polling places are, as far as possible, suitable and accessible to all voters. 

The last review of Polling District and Polling Places for Dorset Council took place in 2019: Agenda and Minutes of the full Council meeting on 21 November 2019.

In Dorset, polling places are also considered annually following an election and in response to feedback and comments received from polling station staff, councillors, and electors.  We have also recently undertaken a Council wide Community Governance Review which has led to changes to some of the boundaries which may, therefore, change where electors will cast their vote.

Where possible, we try to minimise any disruption from elections within the community. For example, we try not to use schools to avoid any detrimental impact on children’s education. Where schools are used it is the decision of the head-teacher whether the premises remains open or closes. Where a decision is taken to remain open, we endeavour to work with the school to minimise the impact on children’s safety.

However, we also have to balance this with the need to ensure that all electors are able to cast their vote at an election as easily as possible.

Thought must be given, for example, to the distance people have to travel to vote and any barriers to them getting there, such as major roads; whether the building has good access for wheelchair users or pushchairs; and whether it has parking spaces, for example. 

There are a large number of considerations and any final decision we make has to be a balance between all these factors.

If you require a paper copy or an alternative format to complete the survey, please contact Electoral Services on 01305 838299 or email elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Dorset Council will also ensure that applicants data is stored appropriately. See details of our Data Privacy and GDPR policy