Guildford Dragon NEWS

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

Postal voters are being encouraged to send their ballots off in good time to make the May 2 local elections. Your postal vote needs to be with the elections team at your local council by 10pm on polling day to be counted.

Surrey residents will have their say on who they want to be the next Police and Crime Commissioner. The PCC election is the only one taking place in Guildford Borough but elections for council seats are taking place across the county at Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Tandridge, and Woking.

Using a first-class envelope provided, your postal vote should be sent this weekend (no post on Sundays) to ensure it arrives on time for May 2. Royal Mail says it “aims” to deliver first-class stamped letter the next day (including Saturdays). However, voters are being encouraged to avoid postal delays and send them as soon as possible.

You should receive your voting pack and ballot paper sufficiently in advance of polling day, if you have applied for a postal vote (deadline was April 17). Keep it safe and do not let others handle it.

Postal votes will contain your ballot paper(s) and a “Postal Voter’s Statement” where you will need to provide your date of birth and signature. These details are checked against your application form, so your postal vote will not be counted if they are missing or do not match.

If you have not received your postal ballot paper or have lost it, you can apply for a replacement postal voting pack.

Complete the voting statement by carefully following the instructions, then send your vote as soon as possible by taking it to a post box.

If you have lost the envelope in the voting pack, you can use any envelope and address it to your local electoral services.

If you cannot post it yourself ask someone you know and trust to post your ballot paper for you. Do not ask a candidate or party worker to post it for you as this is against their code of conduct.

If you are worried your postal vote will not be delivered in time, you can take it to your polling station. You may also be able to hand it in to your local council office, but you should contact your Electoral Registration Officer to check if this is possible.

You can hand in your own postal vote, and the votes of up to five other people at your local polling station or council. However, you will also need to complete a form.

You cannot vote in person at a polling station if you have applied to vote by post. However, you can hand in your sealed postal vote to a Presiding Officer at any polling station within your council (before 10pm).