More electors opt for postal vote
News release issued:
The number of electors in the district who have requested a postal vote has significantly increased.
Almost a fifth (18%) of people on the electoral register have requested a postal vote for the local elections being held on Thursday 6 May. The number of postal voters is a record 14,340 out of the 77,673 currently registered electors. The last time local elections were held in May 2019, there were 76,265 registered electors and 11,552 or 15% had opted for a postal vote.
It is now too late to register to vote or to register for a postal vote for the 6 May elections.
Voters will be able to have their say in the Worcestershire County Council election and the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner elections. In Kidderminster electors will also be voting the Kidderminster Town Council election. There is also one vacant seat on Bewdley Town Council in the Bewdley West Ward.
The polling stations for the election will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 6 May.
Ian Miller, Electoral Registration and Returning Officer said:
“If you have a postal vote please return it as soon as possible - we must receive it before 10pm on 6 May. So far we’ve had around 14% of postal votes returned. If you don’t manage to post it in time you can hand in completed postal ballot packs to your normal polling station. We are doing all we can to make sure our polling stations are as Covid safe as possible for those people who are voting in person. Social distancing requirements will mean that polling stations will operate differently and it may take longer for you to vote.”
Anyone voting in person is reminded to check their poll card to find out where they should go to vote. Voters must wear a face mask in polling stations as it is a legal requirement, unless they cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness or impairment or disability. The number of voters who can enter a polling station at one time will be limited and where possible one way systems will be in place.
The count for Worcestershire County Council, Kidderminster Town Council and the Bewdley Town Council by-election will start on the morning of Friday 7 May. The count for West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner is taking place on Monday 10 May. The results will be uploaded to the Council’s website – www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/electionresults and posted on Facebook and Twitter as they are declared.
More information about the elections is available on the Council’s website. www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/elections