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With under two weeks left until Woking residents go to the polls, Woking Borough Council is urging voters to get ready for the upcoming local elections on Thursday 5 May 2022.
Local elections give residents the opportunity to vote for Woking Borough councillors who decide on services at a local level, such as planning, housing, parks and green spaces, leisure and community centres, recycling and waste collections and more.
Residents who have recently registered on the electoral roll will be sent a poll card in the coming days which will inform you where to go to cast your vote. Please read this carefully as polling station locations and details may change each year.
When voting in person, you do not need to bring your poll card to your nominated polling station. However, bringing it with you does help the poll clerks to manage the process in a quicker and more efficient manner. No form of identification is required in order to cast your vote.
On polling day, elections staff will be on hand in your allocated polling stations to assist with any questions about filling out your ballot paper, should they arise. There are also a number of resources available to help you cast your vote if you require them. These include large print sample ballot papers and tactile voting devices to help those with a visual impairment.
Pencils are available at each station, but you are welcome to use your own if you wish.
Polling station information is also available on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Julie Fisher, Returning Officer for Woking Borough Council, said: “Every vote counts. It is so important that you don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard and have your say on who represents you on the local issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Woking.
“Make sure you are election ready and remember to check the information on your poll card, post your postal vote or make sure your proxy voter is fully informed.
“Our polling stations will be following the latest public health guidance to make sure they are safe places to vote. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 5 May.”
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said: “Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 5 May. Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm; they can hand it in at their polling station if they don’t have time to return it by post.”
If you become unwell you do not have to lose your vote. Voters have up to 5pm on polling day to apply for an emergency proxy vote. This allows you to nominate someone you trust to vote on your behalf. For further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy, voters should contact the electoral registration team on 01483 743 860.
For more information about the Woking Borough local elections, visit www.woking.gov.uk/vote