Poll staff have to deal with unexpected visitor at Exeter elections

Published: 13 December 2019

Election staff had to deal with a particularly prickly ‘voter’ in Exeter yesterday.

A hedgehog turned up unexpectedly at a polling station in the city whilst voting for the General Election was taking place.

The hedgehog appeared at the polling station at the Sea Cadets premises in Haven Banks.

Poll Clerk Maggie Keenan said the visitor caused quite a stir amongst voters, climbing the steps and walking past a teller.

“He casually strolled in and members of the public were very intrigued with him and took lots of pictures,” said Maggie.

The hedgehog visited the ladies’ loo and kitchen but did not try to vote.

Later on a member of the public came back to the polling station with a cardboard box and blanket and took him home to feed and care for him with the intension of getting him to a rescue centre.

Exeter City Council manned a total of 51 polling stations across the city in yesterday’s election.