Postal voters urged to apply early for new West Northamptonshire Council’s first elections

Residents in West Northamptonshire are being encouraged to apply early to vote by post for the first elections to the new council in May.

Voters across Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire districts will go to the polls to elect 93 councillors for the new unitary authority on Thursday, May 6.

West Northamptonshire Council will be formed on April 1, replacing the existing district, borough and county councils, alongside North Northamptonshire Council.

On polling day, residents will also be able to cast votes for the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and to elect representatives for many of their parish councils.

Work is underway to ensure that residents can cast their votes safely during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with a range of Covid-safe measures being planned for polling stations, alongside the other usual options such as voting by post or by proxy (when someone votes on your behalf).

People are urged to apply for postal votes as early as possible ahead of the deadline of 5pm on April 20, and those wishing to vote by proxy can also do this now before the deadline of 5pm on April 27.

Anyone who is not yet registered to vote must do so by Monday, April 19, to take part in this spring’s elections.

Anna Earnshaw, returning officer for the West Northamptonshire elections and chief executive of the new council, said: “The government has said they will be keeping the date of the elections under review which is right and proper given the fast-changing circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re currently preparing for them to go ahead as scheduled on May 6, including putting robust measures in place to ensure everyone will have the opportunity to safely cast their vote in these historic elections for West Northamptonshire.

“Despite these extra measures, anyone who is clinically vulnerable or does not feel able to visit a polling station on Election Day should register to vote by post or proxy as soon as possible.”

Polling arrangements are being organised by elections staff in the current councils until the new local authority is formed.

In the run-up to this, residents will still need to apply for postal and proxy votes via their existing district or borough councils.

Voters in Daventry district can apply by emailing [email protected] or calling 01327 871100.

Northampton residents should email [email protected] or call 0300 330 7000 and people living in South Northants should email [email protected] or call 01327 322128.

Residents unsure whether or not they are registered to vote can check by contacting their elections team on the contact details above.

Those who need to register can do so at gov.uk/register-to-vote, where they will be asked to provide their name, National Insurance number and date of birth.