With only a few days until polls open for local elections, South Kesteven District Council is offering a reminder to voters on how and where they can vote.
On Thursday 2nd May, the first elections to the new Grantham Parish Council will be held, electing 22 councillors from 40 candidates.
Elections for the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner take place on the same day.
Full details of candidates for both elections, and where to vote, can be found online at: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/elections2024
Residents who have registered to vote will already have received a polling card in the post. On this card, voters will be able to find details of their local polling station.
They do not need to take their card with them to be able to vote, but they can only cast their vote at the polling station they are registered with, so it’s important to check first.
Polling hours are from 7am to 10pm. Counting will begin after the polls close, and results will be posted throughout the night shortly after the completion of each count.
All voters need to take some form of photographic voter identification to show when arriving at their polling station and cannot be issued with a ballot papers unless they present one of the accepted forms of ID. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, Commonwealth or EEA passport or driving licence and some concessionary travel passes. A full list of accepted ID is available at: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/voterid
There are new rules for returning a postal vote. The easiest way is to use Royal Mail via a normal letterbox so please ensure this is done in good time so the vote is received by May 2nd. Postal votes can no longer be posted in the SKDC letter box at the Council offices as they will be rejected. They need to be handed in to an authorised officer at the main Council office in Grantham during office hours or at a polling station on election day before 10pm.
Returning Officer and SKDC Chief Executive Karen Bradford said: “Eligible residents in South Kesteven can make their voice heard in these important elections, with those living in Grantham having the chance to elect a new parish council for the first time in 50 years.
“Our local elections are organised and run by the SKDC elections team, who ensure the polls happen when they should, and are carried out fairly, legally and correctly.
“Please be patient with polling station staff while they check your photo ID, and remember that the staff are also there to help you, and answer any questions you may have.”
The accepted forms of ID at polling stations are:-
- Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, A British Overseas Territory, an EEA state, or a Commonwealth country
- Photocard driving licence (includes a provisional licence) issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or EEA state
- Biometric immigration document
- Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
- Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
- Blue Badge scheme photocard parking permit
- National identity card issued by an EEA state
- Older Person's Bus Pass / Concessionary Travel pass/card (in Lincolnshire, this is the Older person or Disability bus pass issued by Lincolnshire County Council)
- a Disabled Person's Bus Pass
- an Oyster 60+ Card
- Freedom Pass
- Electoral Identity Card for Northern Ireland
- Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland
- 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales
- Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person's SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
- Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
- Voter Authority Certificate
- Anonymous Elector Document
Expired ID can still be used as long as the photo remains a good likeness of you.
Only original documents will be accepted, scanned images or copies will not be accepted.