Election notices published as preparation continues

The notices for the upcoming local and Police and Crime Commissioner elections have been formally published.

Local elections are due to take place on 6 May for the 98 Wiltshire Council unitary divisions, as well as town and parishes.

The Police and Crime Commissioner election also takes place on 6 May as do a number of neighbourhood planning referendums.

Here are some of the other local elections key dates coming up for people to look out for:

• Delivery of nomination papers (people wishing to stand for election) from 12 March - 8 April (4pm)
• Publication of those nominated - 9 April
• Deadline for registering to vote - 19 April
• Deadline for registering to vote by post or postal proxy applications - 20 April (5pm)
• Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy - 27 April (5pm)
• Polling day - 6 May (7am - 10pm)

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Wiltshire's Returning Officer is asking that as many people as possible register to vote via post.

To avoid the risk of fraud, a signature is required when applying for a postal vote. Anyone unable to print a postal vote application form at home should call Wiltshire Council on 0300 456 0112 and they can arrange for a copy to be posted out.

People can visit the Government postal vote page for more information and to get a form.

To manage the counting of the large number of elections, and to keep everyone safe, the verification and counts will be spread over four days, from 7-10 May.

The council will also do everything it can to keep polling stations and count centres as safe as possible for voters and staff by making sure venues are COVID-secure, but people should expect to see some changes to previous elections if they decide to vote in person. For instance, there will likely be longer wait times, one-way systems and people should bring their own pen to cast their vote.

Terence Herbert, Wiltshire Council's Chief Executive and Wiltshire's Returning Officer, Terence Herbert, said:

"It's a busy time but we're making good progress and getting all the arrangements in place to ensure safe and democratic elections.

"Even though COVID case numbers are heading in the right direction, I urge everyone to vote by post if they can as this is the safest and most convenient way for people to have their say."

People should visit the  for all the information they need on the upcoming elections, including a booking system for submitting nominations.

The unitary election notices can be found at the .

The Police and Crime Commissioner Election notice can be found at the  .

The Town and Parish election notices can be found at .

There are 10 Neighbourhood Plan Referendums and one Community Right to Build referendum taking place on Thursday 6 May 2021.  These take place alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner Election, Wiltshire Council Unitary Election and Parish Council Elections.  The Referendums will be for the following areas:

• Referendum on the Crudwell Neighbourhood Plan
• Referendum on the Freshford and Limpley Stoke Community Right to Build Order
• Referendum on the Hindon Neighbourhood Development Plan
• Referendum on the Lydiard Millicent Neighbourhood Plan
• Referendum on the Market Lavington Neighbourhood Plan
• Referendum on the North Bradley Neighbourhood Plan
• Referendum on the Seagry Parish Neighbourhood Plan
• Referendum on the Seend Parish Neighbourhood Plan
• Referendum on the Tockenham Neighbourhood Plan 
• Referendum on The Winterbournes Neighbourhood Plan