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News release issued:
Residents who have opted to vote by post in the local elections on Thursday 2 May are now receiving their ballot papers. Postal voters who have not already had theirs, should look out for their envelope marked “ballot paper” in the post in the next few days.
In Wyre Forest, there are elections for Kidderminster Town Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia. The elections are run by the returning officer at Wyre Forest District Council, who is urging postal voters to return their completed ballot pack as soon as possible. Anyone who does not post it back in time can hand their vote in at their polling station or the council’s headquarters, Wyre Forest House.
There have been important changes to rules about handing in postal votes.
From this election voters can hand in their own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people only if they complete a form. It includes your name and address, how many postal votes you are handing in and why you are handing in those postal votes. Political campaigners can only hand in their own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people that are either close relatives or someone they provide regular care for.
Ian Miller, Returning Officer at Wyre Forest District Council said,
“We are asking postal voters to send their completed ballot pack back as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to post it in a red Royal Mail post box yourself or ask someone you know and trust to post it for you. New legislation means that political campaigners are generally not allowed to handle postal votes, so please bear that in mind if you ask someone to post your ballot pack for you. By posting it you avoid having to complete a form at the polling station. Please make sure you post it in good time. Your vote needs to be with us by 10 pm on Thursday 2 May. If it arrives later than this, your vote won’t be counted.“
More information about the upcoming elections can be found on the council’s website.
Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 2 May. Anyone voting in person needs to take photo ID with them. Details of what photo ID will be accepted are available on the council’s website. If someone who votes in person does not have one of the acceptable types of photo ID, they can apply for a voter authorisation certificate. The deadline for this is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April. Details of how to apply can be found on the council’s voter ID webpage.
The count is taking place on Friday 3 May. Results will be announced live on Facebook and posted on the council’s website election results page
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