Ballots cast in car as polling station locked

The council says the car was used for the first hour of voting

Early-morning voters had to cast ballots in the back of a car because election officials could not get into a polling station.

The vehicle was used after a "problem with door codes and contacting keyholders" at Milton Road Library in Cambridge.

The unusual polling station had to be used from 07:00 BST for about an hour until the library was opened.

Cambridge City Council praised the "great initiative" of staff.

'Used own car'

A council spokesperson said: “Our elections staff are doing a fantastic job today coordinating the local elections at 39 different locations across the city, and have a variety of back-up plans in case of any incidents, to ensure Cambridge residents can cast their votes.

“At one of our polling stations this morning, Milton Road Library, there was a problem with door codes and contacting keyholders, so our staff showed great initiative and used one of their own cars.

"Staff are looking forward to welcoming voters there for the city council and PCC elections until 10pm tonight.”

There have been other occasions when cars have been used as temporary polling stations.

It happened in 2021 in Oxford after a churchwarden reportedly overslept.