Elections - The Process

Elections can occur for a variety of reasons - i.e. through the resignation, disqualification or death of a Councillor, or the periodic election of the whole Council.

The following shows the type and timing of elections that occur, although, in addition, by-elections may occur at any time

• NB Some Town and Parish Councils are divided into 2 Wards, and separate elections are held for Councillors representing each of the Wards associated with a particular Town or Parish Council.

When an election is called a Notice of Election is published throughout the district. This gives details of the nomination timetable and who to contact if any person wishes to stand for election. Also see Becoming a Councillor.

At the end of the nomination period a list is published showing the names, addresses and descriptions of the candidates, and from which can be seen whether or not a poll will be necessary - i.e. if there are more valid candidates than there are vacancies to be filled. Where a poll is to be held, candidates may carry out promotional activities to inform the public how they will be represented if they are elected.

In a week or two before polling day a Notice of Poll will be published throughout the district showing full details of the candidates, the names of those electors who have supported their nominations, the locations of polling stations, and the date and times of the poll. Polling hours at all elections are 7am to 10pm.

On polling day electors will cast their votes at polling stations unless, of course, they have applied for and been granted a postal or proxy voting facility - see the Electoral Registration section for further information about this.

If you are unsure about the location of your polling station, please contact us and we will provide you with full details (tel 01263 516046 or 516317). If you are disabled you may wish to note that we are currently able to provide disabled access at approximately 85% of polling stations, and we are continually striving to increase this proportion. In the majority of polling stations there will be a polling booth specially adapted for use by wheelchair-bound voters. In addition, copies of large print ballot papers are displayed in every polling station, together with a voting aid for those with impaired vision. Electors with disabilities are permitted to be accompanied by a companion in the polling station in order to help them vote, or they may ask the Presiding Officer for assistance.

The vote is cast in total secrecy, and at the close of poll all votes are counted and the result of the election is declared. Copies of the results will be displayed at Council Offices and will be provided to the News media for publication. They will also appear in Most Recent Election Results.

Behind the scenes, the Elections office are dealing with the booking of polling stations, the preparation of documents and equipment for polling, the appointment and training of *polling and counting staff, the production and distribution of poll cards, the validation and processing of nominations, the publication of Notices, the processing of absent voting applications and organisation of postal votes issues, and liasing with news media representatives. Polling day at a District-wide election is the culmination of approximately a years preparation, and it doesn't stop there as there are numerous tasks to perform after the results have been declared - and before preparations start for the next election!

* NB If you are interested in assisting the Council at elections, either by helping to man a polling station and/or count the votes, then please click on the link below and complete the form so that we can send you some further information.

| Election Staff Appointment Questionnaire (pdf 61kB) |