DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

It all comes down to two days in May – but planning for the forthcoming mayoral and local elections has been going on for months.

On May 4, thousands of Middlesbrough residents will go the polls. And by the end of May 5, once all the votes are counted, the name of the mayor and composition of the council should be known.

And for people like electoral services officer Bruce Holloway, it will mark the climax of around 10 months of planning.

Bruce has been with Middlesbrough Council for 14 years, with the last nine in his current role.

He’s part of a four-strong team that constantly works on maintaining and updating the electoral register and, since last August, has been meticulously planning for May 4.

With a mayoral election, 20 local ward elections to return 46 councillors and parish council elections in Nunthorpe and Stainton and Thornton to organise, it’s quite a task anyway – and this year, a change in legislation had to be factored in too.

Bruce explained: “A law was passed in April 2022 meaning that voter ID must be used from this May. In other words, you need to show some form of acceptable photo ID to vote.”

Bruce says the first planning meetings for the 2023 elections began last August – “then by the end of October, we’re in full election mode, with colleagues from the democratic services team drafted in to help.

“We have 68 polling stations, so sites need to be identified, buildings booked, ballot boxes supplied, all the basics really. And by the time the last votes are counted, something like 600 people will have worked on the election in Middlesbrough. It’s amazing how many people it involves – going from a team of four in September to 600 by the time we reach two days in May.”

On polling day, Bruce admits it’s all hands to the pump. “We’ll be in the office from 6.30am, firefighting any snags. No matter how much you've prepared over the previous 10 months, you can’t account for everything.”

And after 10pm, the focus moves from the polling stations to the Middlesbrough Sports Village, where more than 100 people will be working at the count.

Bruce said: “I love the buzz of the count – it’s hard work but it’s good to see your 10 months of work come to fruition. There are massive sighs of relief when you nail another one.”

In his nine years, Bruce says he’s probably been involved in up to 20 counts, but one in particular sticks in his mind.

“The EU referendum count in 2016 was memorable, mainly because of how much interest there was in it. It was frantic in the office and the phone didn’t stop ringing.”

Bruce, who plays tuba for Marske Brass Band in his spare time, admits there’ll be little time to reflect on a job well done once the final result is announced on May 5.

He explained: “My stepson Jack marries

Stacey on May 6 – AND it’s the King’s Coronation Day! But hopefully I’ll be able to put my feet up briefly on May 7.”

And urging people to vote – or register to vote – Bruce said: “It’s your chance to influence how your town and public services are run for the following four years.”

Factfile

The town’s 68 polling stations will be open from 7am-10pm

The mayoral result is expected early on May 5, with the council results later that day.

Each voter must have acceptable photo ID. These include: passport, driving licence (including provisional licence), blue badge, concessionary travel cards, identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme), biometric immigration document, defence identity card or certain national identity cards.

Around 16,000 people – 20% - are expected to use a postal vote.

The deadline to register in order to vote is April 17.

Turnout for the last combined election in 2019 was 31.7%.