The Statement of Persons Nominated has been published and can be viewed here.

The following notices relate to the upcoming by-election in the Holmwoods and Beare Green Ward:

• Notice of Vacancy
• Notice of Election
• Notice of Election Agents and Offices
• Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations

The deadline to register for the upcoming by-election has passed.

You can still register to vote via the GOV.UK website. We can send physical application forms if they are requested, and we will include a pre-paid reply envelope for their return.

Poll cards will be sent to everyone who is registered to vote, but if you wish to check if you’re registered, or have any queries, please email us, or call us on 01306 879198.

If you are unable to go to your polling station, or would prefer to vote via an absent vote, please apply online using the links below, or contact us to request a physical application form.

Postal Voting – The deadline to apply for a postal vote for this by-election has passed.

Proxy Voting – your application must be made by 5pm, Wednesday 12 March 2025. Please note, the person appointed as your proxy must attend your normal polling station to cast your vote. If this is not possible, they can apply to cast your vote by post, but this application must be made by the deadline to apply for a postal vote.

Please note:

• Postal Vote packs will be despatched around Friday 07 March 2025 via 1st Class post.
• If you would rather vote in person, you must cancel your postal vote before 5 pm on Wednesday 05 March 2025.
• If you lose your postal vote or make a mistake, please call the Elections Team immediately. We can only issue a replacement postal vote from Friday 14 March 2025 until 5 pm on Thursday 20 March 2025.

The Government passed legislation (Elections Act 2022) in 2022 which requires everyone voting in person, including those appointed as proxies, to present photographic identification. The identification presented to polling station staff must be originals as copies, or photographs, etc. are not accepted.

There is a list of the accepted forms of photographic identification and this can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.

If you do not have an accepted form of photographic identification, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. The easiest way to apply for this is online, but we can send a physical application if required. Please note the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm, Wednesday 12 February 2025.

The voting process should be accessible to all voters and we have a range of measures in place at all polling stations.

These measures include:

• the provision of wheelchair accessible polling stations. Ramps are provided where they are needed
• the availability of an accessible polling booth for wheelchair users
• large-print ballot papers
• tactile voting device, to enable partially-sighted or blind votes to mark their ballot papers independently
• pencil grips
• accessibility training for polling station staff

Polling station staff are on-hand to provide assistance and make reasonable adjustments, where appropriate.

United Response

United Response have specific information on the voting process.

Find out about the voting process on the United Response website.

Speaking Up

Speaking Up support and encourage people with learning disabilities to:

• understand the voting process
• become active citizens
• register to vote

Visit the Speaking Up website to find out how they help people with learning disabilities.

My Vote My Voice

My Vote My Voice is a campaign to support voting for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

Visit the My Vote My Voice website to view their quick guide to voting.

Resources in accessible formats

Please visit the Electoral Commission website to view and download accessible voting information. These are available in the following formats: audio, Braille and YouTube videos.