Have your say as polling review comes to a close
Residents in Test Valley are being encouraged to have their say in a review of where people cast their votes at elections.
The review was launched by Test Valley Borough Council last month and is aimed at making sure there is a fair and manageable number of voters per area. It will also study where the polling stations are located.
With just two weeks to go until the consultation closes, residents are being encouraged to take part in the review and offer their views before the end of August.
As well as asking for residents’ comments, the council has also been requesting feedback from specific groups and individuals including councillors, parish councils, disability groups and political parties. The authority is also consulting with the acting returning officer, the person responsible for running elections in the borough.
Full details of the review are available on the council’s website at www.testvalley.gov.uk/PDR. The documents can also be inspected at the council offices in Andover and Romsey.
Maps showing the existing polling districts, together with information including the location of existing polling stations and the number of electors per polling district are available on the website and at the council offices.
The consultation will close on August 30, 2019. Residents can submit their comments by email to pdr@testvalley.gov.uk, or by post to the head of legal and democratic services, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, SP10 3AJ.
Corporate portfolio holder, councillor Tracey Preston, said: “We appreciate every view and a big thank you to those who have taken part so far. This is a very important piece of work to ensure elections run smoothly so it is vital that we get this right.
“We need to make sure polling stations are accessible to every elector who chooses to exercise their democratic right come election day.”
The outcome of the review will be reported to full council on November 20, 2019. If approved, the proposals will be implemented and the electoral register, which is due to be published on December 1, will then be based on the new arrangements which will apply to any elections after that date.