In May 2026, Cambridge participated in the government’s flexible voting pilot scheme. Eligible electors could vote before polling day at three ‘early voting hubs’ located across the city.
The hubs operated on Thursday 30 April, Friday 1 May and Saturday 2 May, between 9am and 6 pm on each day. Voters could cast their ballot at any of the hub locations rather than only at their allocated polling station on election day.
The pilot tested whether more voting days and shared polling locations could improve convenience and accessibility for voters.
Electronic voter registers were used to provide real-time verification across all hubs. This helped to maintain the integrity of the voting process while preventing multiple voting.
The pilot also incorporated enhanced accessibility measures, including:
- audio-voting equipment
- hearing loops
- tactile voting devices
- wheelchair-accessible facilities
Following the trial, the Electoral Commission concluded that:
- the pilot was administered successfully
- voters who used the early voting hubs were generally very positive about the experience
- the hubs offered a convenient alternative to voting on polling day
While overall take-up was modest, the findings suggest there is public interest in greater flexibility in how and when people vote, particularly among younger electors. The full evaluation report provides further detail on the experience of voters, polling station staff and election administrators.
Contact us if you would like more detail on the Electoral Commission’s findings in Cambridge.
Early voting was trialled in Cambridge for the May 2026 elections only. It will not be available at future polls unless new legislation permits it.
