Referendum / District / Parish / Town Council
Elections
Frequently Asked Questions:
Registration
Polling Stations
Absent Voting
Candidates
Results
When will the election be
held?
The upcoming election will be the County Election being
held on Thursday 2nd May 2013
What hours are the polling stations
open?
Polling Stations for all elections are
open from 7 am until 10 pm.
What type of elections are being held in Wyre
Forest?
Election for Worcestershire County Council:
|
County
Divisions
|
Seats
|
Currently
Seated
|
|
Bewdley
|
1
|
John Campion
|
|
Chaddesley
|
1
|
Stephen Clee
|
|
Cookley, Wolverley & Wribbenhall
|
1
|
Gordon Yarranton
|
|
St Barnabas
|
1
|
Anne Hingley
|
|
St Chads
|
1
|
Fran Oborski
|
|
St Georges & St Oswalds
|
1
|
Mumshad Ahmed
|
|
St Johns
|
1
|
Marcus Hart
|
|
St Marys
|
1
|
Nathan Desmond
|
|
Stourport on Severn
|
2
|
Jim Parish & John
Thomas
|
REGISTRATION
Do I have to be registered to
vote? Yes. Every household would have been sent forms
(reminders) in the autumn of 2012 so if you were living in the
property at that time you should be on the register. If you have
moved in since then you should have contacted the Electoral
Registration department to make an application to register. If not
the deadline for applications to be registered in time to vote at
these elections is 5pm on 17th April 2013. You can download forms from our main elections
page.
What if I have missed this deadline -
can I still vote? Not unless you are registered somewhere
else. It may be that you are registered at a previous address, say
for example if you have only recently moved then it is worth
checking. If you are still registered at a previous address you
would have to vote at the polling station for that address as it
would be too late to apply to vote by post. A registration form
should be completed even though it is too late for this
election.
Can I check whether I am
registered? Yes we can confirm details.
Can I have a form to
register? Yes. You can download
forms from our main elections page.
Can I fill in my partners/children's
details too? No. Anyone who is 18 before 1st
December 2013 can register, but they must sign the form against
their name. So you cannot complete it on their behalf.
How long will it take before I am
registered? There is a statutory timetable for the
processing of applications but during an election period provide we
receive the form properly completed, by the 18th April
you will be on the register for the 1st May, thus
enabling you to vote. View the
timetable.(7K) 
POLLING STATIONS
Where do I have to go to vote (polling
station)? A complete list of polling stations will be
provided. By checking the 'street index' at the front of the
register you will find which register to check for your name.
Then when you go to the particular register and find the elector
concerned you will find the polling district letters e.g. BE-A and
the elector number which can then be checked against the polling
station list.
I haven’t had a poll card – should I have done?
Poll cards will be sent out to all voters by no later
than 1st April 2013. You can check whether you
are registered on the electoral roll (available at the
Worcestershire Hub) If you are don't worry – you don’t need
the poll cards to be able to vote and can just go along to the
polling station, give your name and address and the staff will
help you. If you are not registered and if it is not too late
to apply, get an ER3 completed and sent to the Electoral
Services Office immediately. You can
download forms from our main elections page.
Do I have to tell the people sat out
side the polling station my details? No – these people are
working for the political parties and candidates and are try to
ascertain who has, or has not voted. They are an integral part of
the political process but are not election officials and you do not
have to give them your details unless you want to. Election
Officers will be in the main hall, or in another room being used in
the building.
Do I need to take any
identification? No, there is no requirement for you to
show ID to enable you to vote - but you do have to confirm that you
are who you say you are and this is legally binding.
I am disabled - can I have help to
complete my ballot paper? Yes, you can either take someone
along with you to assist you or the Presiding Officer at the
station can assist. In both cases there are special forms which
must be completed so it may take a little longer. You can also
apply to vote by post, or nominate someone to go to the polling
station for you, ie proxy vote. You can
download forms from our main elections page.
ABSENT VOTING
I can’t get to the polling station on
polling day can I apply to vote by post? - the
deadline for applications to vote by post is 5pm on 17th April
2013. You can download forms from our
main elections page.
I have applied for a postal vote but
haven’t received my ballot papers! – Postal ballot papers
will be sent out on about the 23rd April 2013. The number of postal
ballot pack we send out is always balanced back exactly to the
numbers of postal voters on the register and are then handed over
to Royal Mail. Although we always use 1st class post it
can sometimes take a few days for Royal Mail to deliver all the
postal voting packs, and sometimes some do get lost! If you haven’t
received your postal vote pack by 26th
April 2013, contact the Electoral Services Office who can
issue a replacement.
I have received a postal vote but I
don’t want to vote by post! – It is not now possible for
you to vote in person at the polling station and if you wish to
vote you must use the postal ballot paper you have been issued.
After the election if you wish to cancel your postal vote for
future elections please put your request in writing giving your
full name and address where you are registered and stating that you
no longer require a postal vote.
I have received two postal votes!
– There may be elections in Rock.
Don’t I need someone to witness my
signature on the statement that accompanies the ballot papers?
– No the law has changed so that you only have to sign it
and give your date of birth. These will be checked against the
signature and date of birth we have on our system.
I have a postal vote but I can still
vote at the polling station if I want to can't I? No. You
must vote by using your postal vote as you will not be allowed to
vote in person.
Can I hand deliver my postal vote or
give it to a candidate? You can deliver it to the
Returning Officer’s office (Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way,
Kidderminster) if you wish and there is no legislation to
stop a candidate delivering it for you but we do ask candidates not
to handle postal votes as part of our anti fraud
measures.
I don't want to vote by post but can't
go to the polling station what can I do? You could apply
to vote by proxy provided you meet the criteria - you must either
be away (this application will only apply for one election,) or be
physically incapacitated (and have the form supported by a medical
practitioner) or be away due to your employment.
CANDIDATES
I haven’t received any information
about who is standing! - It is the candidates'
responsibility to send you any information about themselves.
After the 9th April 2013 you should
have seen details of who is standing in the local press or on the
Statement of
persons nominated (58K). The
Elections Team do not hold any information about what the
candidates stand for and are not allowed to provide further details
than the notice.
RESULTS
When can I find out who has won the
election? Elections results will be posted on our website
as soon as possible. The verification and count will be held at The
Glades Arena, Bromsgrove Street, Kidderminster on Thursday
evening/Friday morning.
Results for all elections will be
available on the website as soon as possible after
declaration.