Local council elections are scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 6. The sunny uplands of May seem a long way away at the time of writing in the depths of January, but it’s only just over three months from now. And if you need to register to vote and/or register for a postal vote, your application needs to be in sooner than that.
Whether or not the elections take place on time is anyone’s guess in the current circumstances. But I thought it a good idea to be prepared and this is what my investigations turned up:
Registering to vote
If you’re not already registered to vote and are eligible, it’s quick and easy to do so online
According to the website, it only takes five minutes. It also says “You’ll be asked for your national insurance number (but you can still register if you do not have one).”
The same website explains the rules for eligibility. If you’re not sure if you’re registered or if you need to update your details, I’ve found the folk in the electoral services department at Rother District Council (RDC) incredibly helpful and responsive. Their details are at the bottom of this article.
If you can’t complete the registration online for any reason, you can download a paper copy here. You can post (or deliver) completed forms to the town hall as below. If you can’t download and print the document, the electoral services people can send you a copy in the post; you just need to call or email them.
Registering for a postal vote
Plans are afoot to make polling stations Covid-19 safe but, in the current circumstances, many voters will understandably think twice about leaving the house and travelling to places where others congregate. Fortunately, I found it quick and easy to register for a postal vote. The form can be found here. You’ll need to print and sign it and then either scan it and email it to elections@rother.gov.uk or post it to the town hall as below.
If you need any help with any aspect of this or have trouble completing the form, the elections people at RDC have said they’re pleased to help. They’ve even offered to help if you’re worried about the cost of postage!
Richard Adams, electoral services manager at RDC says: “we try to do everything we can to help electors and ensure no one is disenfranchised. If the options available are problematic for an individual we are usually able to find an alternative option to help them.” So no-one should be left out as a result of concern for health and safety, access to technology, disability or funds.
Address:
Rother District Council, Electoral Registration Officer, Town Hall, Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 3JX.
Telephone: 01424 787000. Email: elections@rother.gov.uk.
Website: https://www.rother.gov.uk/
Happy voting!
Image Credits: Rye News library .