Look out for poll cards – and check the details
Poll cards have been issued to voters in St Albans District for important local elections on Thursday 7 May.
The elections are for 22 seats on St Albans City and District Council with one seat up for election in 18 of the 20 wards.
In addition, there are two seats up for election in each of two wards - St Stephen as well as Sandridge & Wheathampstead. This follows the resignations of one Councillor in each of the wards.
Residents should make sure they are registered to vote by the Monday 20 April deadline and that they have an approved form of photo ID.
St Albans City and District Council has posted poll cards to around 110,000 people who are registered.
Amanda Foley, the Returning Officer for the District, said:
It’s important that people check they’re ready to vote ahead of the upcoming local elections. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for free ID or for a postal or proxy vote.
If you’ve changed address or moved home since you last registered, it takes just a few minutes to update your details online. Checking now helps make sure you can vote in a way that’s right for you.
Voting in person
Residents who vote in person should examine their poll cards carefully to check the location of their polling station.
You do not need to bring your poll card with you to vote, but doing so makes it easier for the polling station staff to find you on the electoral register.
Voters are required to present an approved form of photo ID to vote at a polling station. This includes a current UK passport or driver’s licence or an expired one if the photograph is a true likeness.
Anyone who does not have one of the approved types of ID can apply for free ID, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, up until 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
Details of approved photo ID and how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate are available on poll cards and on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Voting by post or proxy
With the Early May Bank Holiday weekend falling shortly before polling day, residents who are going to be away around this time are advised to consider applying for a postal or proxy vote.
Postal vote packs are due to be despatched between Wednesday 15 and Friday 27 April, depending on the date the postal vote was applied for, and must be completed and returned by 10pm on Thursday 7 May.
Residents who wish to vote by post are asked to check their poll card to see whether they have a postal vote in place.
Postal votes now last a maximum of three years before they need to be renewed.
Proxy voting involves nominating somebody that you trust to vote on your behalf at your polling station on election day.
The deadline for applying to vote by post, or for amending an existing postal or proxy vote, is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April, and for applying to vote by proxy, it is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April
In certain circumstances, an emergency proxy vote can be applied for up until 5pm on the day of the election.
Most types of postal and proxy vote can be applied for online: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.
Forms to apply to vote by post or proxy are also available from the Council’s Electoral Services Team or from the Electoral Commission’s website.
Candidate List
The full list of candidates for the elections will be published after 4pm on Thursday 9 April.
Working at elections
Each year, the Council employs hundreds of staff at election time to make sure the process is run smoothly. If you’re interested in working at elections, information can be found here.
Further Information: www.stalbans.gov.uk/voting-and-elections.
Media Contacts: www.stalbans.gov.uk/news-and-whats