By-election to be held in County Durham in July
A BY-election is set to take place in County Durham in July, with residents being reminded to register to vote.
Polling cards will be delivered to residents from Monday 2 June for the Durham County Council Benfieldside by-election being held on Thursday 3 July. Anyone registered on the electoral register and eligible to vote in this election will receive a polling card with details of their voting preference. Residents then just need to vote at an allocated polling station or vote by post or proxy.
Residents who are not registered or have recently moved house and have not informed electoral services are encouraged to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, by midnight on Tuesday 17 June.
Meanwhile, residents who are passionate about Benfieldside and wish to have a say about its future are invited to stand as a candidate at the upcoming by-election. Interested parties can request a nomination pack from Durham County Council by contacting electoral services on 03000 261 212 or by emailing .
Prospective candidates are able to submit their nomination papers from Friday 30 May, between the hours of 10am and 4pm, to the Electoral Services Office, The Annexe, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL. Nomination papers must be delivered by hand. The deadline to submit nomination papers is 4pm on Friday 6 June.
Further information for prospective candidates and agents can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk and www.durham.gov.uk/article/2276/Become-a-councillor.
Anyone who wishes to vote must be registered to vote in Benfieldside and must also be able to provide an acceptable form of photo ID, which includes a passport, driving licence and concessionary travel pass, such as an older person’s bus pass. A full list of acceptable forms of photo ID can be found on poll cards.
Voters who do not have an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. All applications for a free Voter Authority Certificate for this election must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 25 June. If voters need any further help, they should contact electoral services on 03000 261212 or email .
Anyone who is listed on the electoral register can request a postal or proxy vote. A new government online portal is the simplest way to complete a postal or proxy vote application at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote, or for proxy vote applications apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote.
The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 18 June and for proxy vote applications it is Wednesday 25 June.
