Make sure you’re ready to have your say on 5 May
It’s almost time for the council elections on 5 May, and voters in East Ayrshire are being urged to make sure they’re ready to go to the polls.
Voters should have received a poll card in the weeks before polling day which tells them where they should go to cast their vote. You can also search for your polling place at wheredoivote.co.uk
Staff will be on hand to help if you need any assistance at the polling places, which are all fully accessible. Large print sample ballot papers and tactile voting devices will also be available to help those who are blind or partially sighted to vote.
Eddie Fraser, Returning Officer, said: “Make sure you check the information on your poll card, as your polling place might have changed since the last election. You do not need your poll card to vote, but we encourage you to bring it with you to make the process quicker and more efficient.
“Polling places will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 5 May. Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm; or they can hand it in at their polling place if they haven’t have time to return it by post.”
Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said: “At this election you number your candidates in order of choice, using a 1 for your first choice, a 2 for your second choice, a 3 for your third and so on. You can number as many or as few candidates as you choose. If you need any information on how to fill in your ballot paper then the voter information leaflet already sent to all households in Scotland gives information, or visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voter.”
COVID measures will be in place at polling places to help you vote safely. If anyone is self-isolating or becomes unwell as a result of COVID-19, they don’t need to miss out on having their say. They can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day, which allows them to nominate someone they trust to go to their polling place and vote on their behalf. Further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy is available from the local electoral registration office on 01292 612221.
For more information on voting in the election, visit: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter and
www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/ElectionsAndVoting/ElectionsandVoting.aspx
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