The Electoral Commission are in for a bit of a bumpy ride in the next couple of weeks, as a report from the committee on standards in public life is due, and is (according to its chairman) going to recommend quite a shake-up.
Before that though, the Commission is advising people who are planning to vote by post or proxy in Mays elections to look out for a letter from their local council, requesting their signature and date of birth.
If you’re putting out a Focus leaflet in the next few weeks, you may want to carry a reminder also.
Councils across England are writing this month to anyone who has previously voted by post or by using a proxy to visit the polling station and vote on their behalf, to ask for their signature and date of birth. This is due to new rules which are designed to increase the safety and security of votes submitted without the elector physically visiting the polling station. If anyone is in doubt as to whether or not they should have received a letter, they should contact their local council.
Voters will have six weeks to respond to the council to ensure they can vote by post or proxy as normal. Anyone who does not return the form will still be able to use a polling station to vote in May unless they prefer to reapply for a postal or proxy vote before 18 April, when they will be asked to provide their signature and date of birth.
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