Dogs turn out at polling stations as the East Midlands votes for a new mayor

May 2, 2024

Pet dogs at East Midlands polling stations. Credit [Left]: (Anna Whittaker), [Right]: (Joe Corr)

People across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire are voting for their first Combined Authority Mayor today (May 2).

In Nottinghamshire, the election of the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner is also taking place.

In keeping with a modern-day polling tradition, people across the area have been bringing their dogs out to vote and posting pictures on social media.

The #dogsatpollingstations trend is popular in part because sections of the media avoid detailed coverage of politics when the polls are open to avoid the possibility of unfairly influencing the decisions of voters on the day of the election.

Instead, some ask for pictures of pets at polling stations, or images of polling stations in obscure locations, as a light-hearted way of covering the election without unduly influencing the outcome.

Willow and Maisie, Labrador 🐕#dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/oBRQOt28Tz

— Dr Thomas Wilkinson (@tomwilks444) May 2, 2024

Polling stations have been open since 7am, and remain open until 10pm on Thursday. If you are in a queue inside or outside of a polling station at 10pm, do not worry – you will still be able to cast your vote.

You can vote at your nearest polling station. More information on where you can vote is available on the City Council website.

You must also have a form of photographic ID. Acceptable forms include:

A Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (provisional also accepted)

A Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card)