More Londoners turned out to vote for the Mayor and London Assembly in 2008 than in either of the previous City Hall elections.
However figures released by London Elects, the body which oversees the elections, show that turnout across London’s voting districts (wards) ranged from 26.3% in Cranford in Hounslow to 72.1% in Palace Riverside, in Hammersmith & Fulham.
To demonstrate the wide variance in turnout London Elects has published a ‘hotspot’ map (below) showing turnout in each of London’s 624 wards.
The map is part of a campaign to encourage Londoners to have their say on May 3rd and join their friends and neighbours in electing a Mayor and 25 members of the London Assembly.
Unveiling the map, John Bennett, Greater London Returning Officer, said: “There are lots of things that affect turnout, from the age of voters, the levels of deprivation in an area or even the weather on polling day. But our research shows that the picture isn’t always what you’d expect.”
“Some of the most affluent wards in London only managed a turnout of only 35%, while some of the very poorest wards were beating the London average. And it’s a myth that low turnout is just an inner East London problem too. The lowest turnout was actually a ward in outer West London.”
Bennett added: “Our message is, wherever you live in London, it’s your vote and if you want to make sure your voice is heard, you need to get out and vote on 3rd May.
“Go to www.londonelects.org.uk now, find out how the Mayor and Assembly affect your everyday life, how to fill out your three ballot papers and the different ways you can vote.”
