Poll cards starting to be sent out to eligible voters in Wiltshire

There's also a renewed plea for people to register to vote by post

Author: Henrietta CreaseyPublished 7th Apr 2021

With the local elections just under a month away Wiltshire Council has begun sending out poll cards to eligible voters

The local authority is legally obliged to send the cards which contain details of the resident's local polling station.

CHANGES TO POLLING STATIONS

More than 20 polling stations across the county have changed from previous years and they'll be extra measures to make them Covid-secure like one way systems, screens and hand sanitisier.

People will also be urged to bring their own pen!!!

In total there will be more than 348 polling stations across the county.

On 6 May, unitary and town and parish council elections take place, as well as the Police and Crime Commissioner election.

There are also 10 neighbourhood planning referendums including in The Winterbournes and those eligible to vote in those will be sent an additional poll card.

People do not need to bring their poll card to vote but it is helpful if they can bring it with them.

Terence Herbert, Wiltshire Council Chief Executive, and Returning Officer for Wiltshire, said:

"I'd ask people to check their poll card carefully as their usual polling station may have changed from previous years. Please don't worry if your poll card doesn't arrive straight away, due to the amount needed to be posted out, our team sends them out in batches but rest assured, it will be with you soon.

"There's still time to register to vote, and to register to vote via post, but I'd ask people not to leave it too late and risk missing out on having their say in elections that will affect their day to day lives."

SAFEST WAY TO VOTE IS BY POST

Given the ongoing pandemic, Wiltshire Council's Returning Officer wants as many people as possible to vote by post if they can, as this is the safest and most convenient way for people to have their say.

It is not too late for people to register to vote if they're not already, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

You have until 5pm on the 20th of April to register to vote by post which you can do here: visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote

Given the amount of elections and COVID measures required, the count of the ballots will take place from 7 to 10 May.

You can find more information on the elections taking place on 6 May on wiltshire.gov.uk

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.