Worcester City Council
Worcester City Council
03/19/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/19/2024 04:58
The race is on for Worcester City Council elections
Local elections have officially begun, with candidates of all parties hoping to secure Worcester residents' votes on Thursday May 2.
Formal notices have been published for the City Council elections, marking the official start of the contests.
Voters will, for the first time, be voting for all 35 city councillors on the same day. Previously one third of councillors were elected each year, but the Council has now moved to a system of all-out elections held once every four years.
There is also another significant change this year, with the polls being fought on a new electoral map which sees the number of wards in the city increase from 15 to 16.
Shane Flynn, Returning Officer for Worcester, said: "This is your chance to make your voice heard and decide who represents you on big issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Worcester, from housing and parks to bin collections.
"Time is running out to make sure you can take part in Worcester's local elections. If you're not registered before midnight on 16 April, you won't be able to vote, so please take five minutes to go to gov.uk/register-to-vote.
"If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important to make sure you are correctly registered to vote.
"If you do not want to cast your ballot in-person at one of our polling stations, now is the time to be going to www.worcester.gov.uk/elections to apply for a postal vote or for someone else to vote on your behalf as a proxy.
"Voters will also need to show photo ID at polling stations before being given their ballot papers. A wide range of photo identification can be accepted, which most people will already have, including a passport, driving licence, immigration document and some travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
"You can find the complete list and apply for free photo ID, if you don't have any of the documents on the list, on the Electoral Commission website."
The changes to Worcester's electoral map were agreed by Parliament earlier this year, following a review by the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).
The main changes are:
- The current Cathedral ward will be split in two new wards, named Fort Royal and Cathedral
- The current Gorse Hill and Warndon wards will be merged to form a new ward named Warndon & Elbury Park
- The boundary between the current wards of Bedwardine and St John are being significantly changed to allow the creation of a new ward, named Dines Green & Grove Farm. The southern part of the old Bedwardine ward will be renamed Lower Wick & Pitmaston.
All wards will elect two councillors with the exception of Claines, Nunnery and Warndon & Elbury Park, which will return three.
Thursday 2 May will also see elections for the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner and, if enough nominations are received, seats on St Peter's and Warndon parish councils.
People can choose to vote in a number of ways - in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 17 April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on 24 April.
Voters who do not have a suitable form of photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on 24 April.
To apply for a postal or proxy votes, or for a Voter Authority Certificate, go to www.worcester.gov.uk/elections.
Anyone who is unsure if they need to register to vote can contact the Worcester elections team.