Deadline looms to vote in Wiltshire PCC election
We go to the polls again in less than three weeks
If you want to have your say into who becomes the next Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon then you must make ensure you're on the electoral register by midnight tonight ( 3rd August).
Those who wish to vote by post and haven't done so before need to get their applications in by 5pm on 4 August.
Voting by post is more convenient for the voter and also saves Wiltshire Council money.
Alternatively, people can nominate someone to vote on a person's behalf; applications for this must be received by 11 August at 5pm.
WHY IS THERE ANOTHER ELECTION ?
The previous Police and Crime Commissioner election took place on 6 May but the elected candidate was unable to take office due to an historic driving conviction.
That means the election has to be re-held with the polls opening on August 19th from 7am until 10pm.
The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve. They will be responsible for the totality of policing in Wiltshire and Swindon and set the policing budget and precept.
WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?
There are five candidates vying for the role:
- Junab Ali - Labour & Co-operative
- Julian Malins - Reform UK
- Brian Mathew - Liberal Democrats
- Mike Rees - Independent
- Philip Wilkinson - Conservative
You can find out more about each candidate and what their priorities are here:
https://www.choosemypcc.org.uk/area/wiltshire
Poll cards will be posted out to people later this month, and these will include details of the local polling station to use. Many of the polling stations used in May's election will be available again, but people are asked to make sure they know their allocated one before they set off as some will be different.
Terence Herbert, Police Area Returning Officer, said:
"We know this election is in the middle of summer and people might have plans, or be self-isolating. If that's the case we urge that people apply for a postal vote if they haven't already done so and make sure they are able to have their say in an election that will have an impact on the day to day lives of residents."