RUGBY’S ready to go to the polls next month when the local elections take place on Thursday May 7.
Elections will take place in 14 Rugby Borough Council wards.
In Bilton Ward, a by-election prompted by a recent resignation runs alongside the scheduled election, meaning electors can vote for two of the ten candidates listed on the ballot paper.
An election for Long Lawford Parish Council also takes place, while electors in Clifton-upon-Dunsmore can cast a vote in the referendum on the parish’s neighbourhood plan.
Notices of uncontested elections have been published for the parish councils in Easenhall, Shilton and Barnacle, Wolston, and Wolvey.
Postal voters in Long Lawford receive separate packs for the borough council and parish council elections – with the borough council ballot paper white and the parish council ballot paper green.
In Clifton-upon-Dunsmore, postal voters also receive separate packs for the borough council election and neighbourhood plan referendum, with the referendum ballot paper in grey.
A number of new polling stations will operate for the elections on May 7, prompting the council to urge voters to check polling cards for the location of their polling station, or visit www.rugby.gov.uk/pollingstation
Dan Green, the Returning Officer for Rugby, urged voters to return postal votes via the Royal Mail in the pre-paid envelope included with the ballot papers.
He added: “With the recent changes to postal voting – which mean you need to sign a form if you hand deliver your postal vote at the Town Hall or polling station – returning your vote by post is the simplest way to make sure you have your say at the local elections.
“With the application deadlines for proxy votes and free voter ID rapidly approaching, now’s the time to make sure you’re election ready for May 7.”
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/registertovote to register to vote before the deadline of Monday (April 20).
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/postalvote for postal vote applications before the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday (April 21).
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/voterID to apply for free Voter Authority Certificate photo ID, and www.rugby.gov.uk/proxyvote to apply for proxy votes – both before the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday April 28.
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/electionready for more information.
