Voters across Tendring will head to the polls on Thursday, 7 May, to elect new Essex County Council members.
The elections for all county council divisions in Tendring were formally declared with the publication of the Notice of Election on Friday, 27 March.
Prospective candidates for the seats have until 4pm on Thursday, 9 April, to submit their nominations for inclusion on the ballot papers which can then start to be printed. We need over 120,000 ballot papers across all of the eight separate elections.
To have your say in the elections, residents must be registered to vote, with the deadline set for Monday, 20 April. People are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Residents wishing to vote by post are encouraged to apply early. The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday, 21 April.
Ian Davidson, Deputy Returning Officer, said: “Elections are a fundamental part of our democracy, giving people the chance to influence what happens in their community. But people can only have that say if they are registered, and then take the time to cast their vote.
“I urge everyone to check their registration and ensure they have valid photo ID if attending a polling station. If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID, we can help you apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate which can then be used.
“These elections are also an opportunity for residents to stand as candidates themselves, and I would encourage anyone considering it to read the guidance on our website, as there are important rules every campaign must follow.
“We want every eligible resident to be able to vote independently and with confidence, so if you have additional needs or face any barriers, please contact us so we can support you.”
The boundaries of Tendring’s eight divisions have changed since voters last went to the polls in 2021, with new boundaries drawn up by the independent Local Government Boundary Commission. It includes the creation of a new Clacton West & St Osyth division, replacing the former Clacton West division. Full details of the new boundaries can be found here.
Applications for proxy votes — available to those who will be away on polling day or have accessibility needs — must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday, 28 April.
Poll cards will begin being issued shortly to all registered voters. While a poll card is not required to vote, residents are encouraged to check the details carefully, particularly as some polling stations may have changed due to the new boundaries.
Nomination papers and applications to vote by post or proxy are available at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/elections.
Polling will take place on Thursday, 7 May, between 7am and 10pm.
To register to vote, visit gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact the Election Registration Team at elections@tendringdc.gov.uk or 01255 686575.
Media advisory: Media are reminded that we now enter a ‘pre-election period’ where the Communications Team cannot facilitate interviews with councillors or provide comment from them. Members of the media wishing to attend the Essex County Council election count (for the Tendring divisions only) should email the Communications Team by midday on 16 April to register their interest. Only members of the media who have accredited in advance will be permitted to attend a count.
