There are local elections to choose ward councillors for Saltford (and other wards in Bath & North East Somerset Council) on Thursday 4 May 2023. There will also be elections for the town and parish councils in our area, including Saltford.
To vote in these elections, residents must be on the electoral register. If you are not on the electoral register at your current address, you must register to vote by midnight on Monday 17 April. It takes just five minutes to apply online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you have any queries, you can call B&NES Council on 01225 477333 or email elections@bathnes.gov.uk.
The list of candidates will be published on Wednesday 5 April and can be found on https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/local-elections-4-may-2023
Nominations opened on 21 March for election as a Saltford Parish Council Councillor and/or as a B&NES Ward Councillor. Please see SPC’s news article ‘Parish Council 2023 – Saltford Parish Council‘ for information including downloadable nomination forms. The deadline is 4pm on 4 April.
Saltford residents will receive their poll cards this week. If you are standing for election or nominating someone, please note that your electoral register number will be on your ‘poll card’.
This year for the first time voters will need to show photo ID when they go to the polling station. The need for photo ID is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, which comes into effect from 4 May 2023.
There are three ways you can vote: in person at your polling station, by post or by asking someone you trust to vote on your behalf (by proxy).
To vote by post you need to complete and return a postal vote application form by 5pm on Tuesday 18 April. You can download a form via www.bathnes.gov.uk/votebypost or contact Electoral Services on 01225 477333 to request a paper copy to be posted to you.
To vote by proxy you need to complete and return a proxy vote application form by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. You can download a form via www.bathnes.gov.uk/votebyproxy or contact Electoral Services on 01225 477333 to request a paper copy to be posted to you.
If you vote by post, you will not need to provide photo ID.
If you vote by proxy, the person voting on your behalf will need to show their own photo ID at the polling station to be able to cast your vote.
A passport, photocard driving licence, Blue Badge, Older Person’s Bus Pass (such as a Diamond Travelcard) or a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass are some of the documents that will be accepted as proof of identity before voters will be issued with a ballot paper. The full list of accepted forms of photo ID is printed on the back of poll cards and is also available on the Council website: www.bathnes.gov.uk/voterid. If your photo ID has expired it will still be accepted so long as the photograph is still a good likeness of you and the name is the same as on the electoral register.
Voters who don’t have an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate online or by completing a paper form. They can also apply for the certificate in person at the Guildhall, Bath, Bath Housing, Welfare and Advice Service in Manvers Street, Bath, Keynsham Library and Information Service and Midsomer Norton Library and Information Service. A B&NES Council staff member will be able to take a digital photograph to accompany the application. Applications for Voter Authority Certificates must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
More information about voter ID is available on the B&NES Council website (www.bathes.gov.uk/elections).
