[25
APR 00] COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL NEWS
Coventry Voters To Make An Early Mark
BY ANTONY HOPKER
Coventry
voters are being given the chance to make their mark early in this
year’s local elections as part of a scheme to encourage a high
turnout.
From
tomorrow, people will be able to vote in the city centre, ahead of the
official polling day on May 4.
Three
separate portacabins are being set up in the Precinct between Marks
and Spencer and Bhs for voters to use.
Each
cabin will be dedicated to the wards in each of the three
parliamentary constituencies.
Staff
will be on hand to make sure everyone goes to the correct cabin.
Once
inside, any registered voter will be able to vote for the candidates
in their wards. They will not be allowed to vote again on polling day.
The
scheme has been developed in response to a request from the government
to find ways to encourage people to turn out for local elections.
Other
ideas being experimented with include electronic voting in Stratford
and postal polls. Thirty local authorities are piloting various
schemes.
Coventry
City Council developed the early voting scheme to try and appeal to
people who work or shop in the city centre.
Returning
Officer John Payne said:
“We
are reminding voters of the Home Office requirement to bring a means
of identification to the polling station.
“This
can be done by showing either their poll card, driving licence,
national health card, allowances, benefits or pensions book issued
by the DSS or passport.
“The
usual polling stations will be open across the city on polling day
itself, Thursday 4 May.
“Voters
who vote early will not, of course, be able to vote again on the
day.”
The
polling stations will be open from 9am to 7pm on Wednesday, and from
9am to 5.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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