Postal and proxy voting advice issued for upcoming Fletton & Woodston by-election in Peterborough
Residents of Fletton & Woodston are set to go to the polls next month following the sad passing of Councillor Nick Thulbourn, who died in December last year.
It is anticipated that, while many residents will choose to cast their vote at a local polling station on February 12, others will prefer to select their chosen candidate by post.
However, postal voters must take note that – following changes introduced by the Elections Act 2022 – those opting for this method postal are now required to reapply for their postal vote every three years.
On its website, Peterborough City Council has reminded residents:
“If you are a postal voter in the Fletton and Woodston ward your postal vote may expire before this by-election takes place.”
“Any domestic elector with a postal vote granted on or before 30 January 2024 must reapply by 31 January 2026.”
Residents should be aware that, if a new application is not received by this date, the Electoral Registration Officer is required by law to cancel the postal vote.
Peterborough City Council has written to all residents whose postal vote is due to expire on 31 January 2026.
“If we have written to you and you have not submitted a fresh postal vote application by this date then your postal vote will be cancelled and you will only be able to vote in person at a polling station at this election,” the PCC website states.
Applications for postal voting can be made online at apply for a postal vote page on GOV.uk or by returning the paper application form received in the post.
Residents who are unable to get to a polling station or choose their preferred candidate by post can opt to cast their vote by proxy instead.
This essentially means individuals can appoint someone they trust to vote on their behalf, either at the polling station or by post.
Residents can apply for a proxy vote by completing the proxy vote application form on the Electoral Commission website and returning it to the Electoral Services Department at the Town Hall on Bridge Street.
According to Peterborough City Council, the main points to consider before applying for a proxy vote are:
You must be on the electoral register in order to apply for a proxy vote,
When you apply for a proxy vote you will need to provide a reason as to why you require the vote,
You may have to get someone to support your application to confirm that your reason for applying to vote by proxy is valid,
Anyone can be your proxy as long as they are eligible to vote in that type of election and they are willing to vote on your behalf,
You cannot be a proxy for more than two domestic electors (voters who live in the UK) at any one election.
The deadline to apply for a postal proxy vote is 5pm, 11 working days before the poll. This will be February 1.
Further information on postal and proxy voting is available at [email protected].
Who is standing?
A list of candidates standing in the by-election has now been issued by the city council.
They are – in surname alphabetical order:
Ed Murphy – Green Party
Andrew O’Neil – Reform UK
Neil Christopher Walton – Liberal Democrats
Andrew Stephen Willey – Conservative
Harvey Woodhouse – Labour