COUNTDOWN TO LOCAL ELECTIONS

With the local elections just over a week away, North Somerset Council is sharing important advice and information for voters ahead of polling day on Thursday 4 May.

All 50 seats on North Somerset Council are up for election as well as seats on seven local parish councils. Anyone eligible to vote in-person at the local elections will receive a poll card by post to let them know the address of their polling station and reminding them about the new requirement for Voter ID.

Voter Id Needed

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on the day. For the first time, anyone voting in-person at a polling station will need to produce an acceptable form of photo ID before being issued with a ballot paper.

There will be 128 polling stations across North Somerset in venues including churches, community venues and more unique spaces, such as the children’s room at the Black Horse pub in Clapton-in-Gordano and the vestry in St Mary’s Church, Leigh Woods.

All polling stations are accessible. For anyone needing extra help, there are staff at all polling stations who are ready to assist. Alternatively, voters can choose a companion to go with them to the polling station to help them cast their vote. The presiding officers at each station will be able to help with

Candidates Standing For Election

Details of all the candidates standing for election are available on the North Somerset Council website - see 'statement of persons nominated'. Many candidates are also delivering election campaign materials door to door and updating information online so voters can read manifestos before casting their votes.

Voting By Post

29,000 people have registered to vote by post in North Somerset and will have already received their ballot papers. Although no Royal Mail industrial action has been announced before the elections, the council is still encouraging voters to return their postal votes as soon as they can to ensure their votes are counted in the results. Nick Brain, Returning Officer for the elections said:

"If you've received a postal vote for the elections please do make sure you get it back to us in time for your vote to be counted as we cannot include any ballot papers that we receive after polling stations close on Thursday 4 May. The special envelopes mean postal votes are given priority by the Royal Mail."

Counting And Results

As soon as polls close at 10pm, all the ballot boxes will be sent to the count venue and the votes will be verified immediately. This is a legal process where the number of used, unused and spoilt papers is verified.

The count will then get under way at 9.30am on Friday 5 May with the results being declared in all 35 wards for North Somerset Council ahead of the results for the contested town and parish councils.