Gorton and Denton: observers report family voting concerns

Democracy Volunteers reported multiple instances of family voting at many polling stations in Gorton and Denton; election officials said no reports were made by polling staff and disputed the group's decision to raise the issue after polls closed.

Observers raised concerns about family voting at the Gorton and Denton by-election. Under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 it is an offence to be in a polling booth with another person to influence how they vote. Democracy Volunteers said its observers recorded unusually high levels of family voting compared with recent by-elections. Election officials rejected the on-the-night claims and said no reports were made by polling station staff. Reported details: - Democracy Volunteers said four observers attended 22 of the constituency's 45 polling stations and reported potential family voting in 15 of those stations. - The group reported observing 545 individuals casting votes and recording 32 cases of family voting, with 68% of the observed stations showing at least one such case and about 12% of observed voters affected. - The officer running the by-election and a spokesperson for the Acting Returning Officer said polling staff reported no such issues during the day, noted police presence and a central response hub, and criticised that the concerns were raised only after polls closed. Summary: The group's findings and the officials' statements are at odds. The election authority says no reports were made during polling and described on-the-day arrangements; Democracy Volunteers reported higher rates based on its sample. Undetermined at this time.