Have your say on 1 May - how to vote in this year's elections

On Thursday 1 May, residents will vote in the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority elections. 

 

Voters will decide on the first Greater Lincolnshire CCA (Combined County Authority) elected Mayor. 

 

Why are we voting for a Mayor? 

 

The Mayoral election will take place on Thursday 1 May when all eligible residents in the Greater Lincolnshire footprint are asked to vote.  

 

The elected Mayor, along with the GLCCA board will oversee the investment into key priority areas which include driving economic growth, improving roads, infrastructure, housing growth and transport, and creating new job opportunities for residents and businesses. By bringing decision-making closer to local people, the authority will ensure that funding and resources are used effectively to deliver real benefits. 

 

With devolved powers and a focus on delivering results, every penny of investment will be used to maximise benefits for residents and businesses, enhancing already strong foundations for long-term success. 

 

Through the securing of greater control over funding and decision-making, Greater Lincolnshire will be better-positioned to build a stronger, more prosperous future - one where communities thrive, businesses flourish, and residents have access to the opportunities they deserve. 

 

For more on the GLCCA, what it will mean for residents and businesses and the mayoral election please go to www.greaterlincolnshire-cca.gov.uk 

 

How you can vote in the May elections  

 

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. But you can only vote if you’re on the electoral register before the deadline. 

 

Register to vote: 

 

With the deadline to register to vote fast approaching, North East Lincolnshire Council is urging people who are not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time. 

 

The deadline to register to vote in person is 11 April. It takes just five minutes to apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.   

 

2: Cast your vote 

 

Once you have registered, you will be eligible to vote in the election.  

 

You can choose from three ways to vote. 

 

• In person 

 

• By post  

 

• By proxy (which means you have someone else cast their vote for you) 

 

Voting in person 

 

If you have registered and are eligible to vote, the local elections office will send you a poll letter telling you where and when to vote. You can still vote if you have misplaced your poll letter; you do not have to take it with you to the polling station. 

 

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on the day of the election. You will need to provide your name and address to polling station staff when you arrive as well as providing photo ID. 

 

If you don’t have photographic ID, you can apply for a “Voter Authority Certificate” (VAC). The deadline for application for a VAC is 5pm on the 23 April. Visit www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate 

 

Voting by post 

 

The deadline to apply for a new postal vote is 14 April. You can use postal voting as a one off at one election or for all elections. Aside from being on the electoral register, you do not need to meet any specific criteria to vote by post. 

 

When you vote by post, your signature and date of birth will be checked against your application. If the signature and/or date of birth do not match, your vote will be rejected. 

 

Apply to vote by post on the Gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. 

 

Recent changes regarding postal voting 

 

National changes to regulations last year means that postal votes must either be returned through the Royal Mail, or alternatively, can be handed in, in person, at the reception to the Municipal Offices, Grimsby or at any polling station in your voting area (i.e North East Lincolnshire). 

 

The vote must be handed to an authorised officer during Municipal Offices opening hours, or at the polling stations on the day of the election.  

 

If you have a postal vote ballot pack please ensure you follow the new rules: 

 

• There is a limit to the number of postal votes a person can hand in at a polling station – a person will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal ballot packs for other electors plus their own. 

 

• If a person hands in more than five postal ballot packs for other electors, all the postal votes (other than their own) will be rejected.  

 

• If there is reason to suspect that a person has already handed in the maximum number of postal votes elsewhere (e.g. another polling station) at the election, any subsequent postal votes handed in will be rejected.  

 

• Anyone handing in postal votes must complete a ‘return of postal voting documents’ form for it to be counted.  

 

The person handing in the postal vote(s) will need to complete the form with their name, address and the reason for handing in other people’s postal votes (where appropriate). If the form is not completed with all the required information, or to the authorised officer’s satisfaction, the postal vote(s) will be rejected. Postal votes can be accepted at polling stations but must be accompanied by a form you will be asked to complete, if they are simply left at a polling station, they will be rejected. After the election, the Electoral Registration Officer will write to all electors who have had their postal votes rejected, telling them why. 

 

Voting by proxy 

 

If you need someone to vote on your behalf, you can apply for a proxy vote. You can apply for a proxy vote for one election only or, you can have a permanent proxy vote if you meet the following criteria and your application is attested: 

 

• a physical condition that means you cannot vote in person or by post. 

 

• attending a course for educational purposes and will not make it to your polling station. 

 

• unable to vote due to being away for work. 

 

You apply for a proxy vote on the Gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote 

 

If you have a proxy vote already but wish to change this, you need to contact the Council’s Elections Team by 14 April. Call 01472 313131 and ask to be put through to the elections team. 

 

If you wish to apply for a new proxy vote, you have until 5pm on 23 April.