Candidates standing in this year’s Police Crime Commissioner elections and some town and parish council by-elections in Dorset have been published.
Five candidates have been announced for the Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) election. See the Statements of Persons Nominated
From Thursday 15 April, details about the candidates in the PCC for Dorset election will be available at www.choosemypcc.org.uk
Find out more about the role of the PCC by visiting the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ website.
By-elections will be taking place for the following towns and parishes on 6 May. Statements of each person nominated can be seen by following the links for each town or parish below.
Lyme Regis Town Council
Weymouth Town Council – Wyke Regis Ward
Weymouth Town Council – Preston Ward
Shaftesbury Town Council – West Ward
Swanage Town Council – Swanage North Ward
Ferndown – Ferndown Central Ward
Elections will now not be taking place in the following two parishes as the candidates standing in these two areas will be uncontested on 6 May:
Portland Town Council – Portland Tophill East Ward
Okeford Fitzpaine Parish Council (2 seats)
Ways you can vote
There are a number of ways to vote and voters are reminded that deadlines are approaching for this year’s elections:
If you need to register to vote (this might be because you have recently moved to a new address) you must register online to vote before midnight on Monday 19 April.
If you are not sure if you are already on the electoral register, telephone Dorset Council’s elections team on 01305 838299.
The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April
The deadline for a proxy vote application (to appoint someone else to vote on your behalf) is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.
Emergency proxy voting will also be available for anyone who is self-isolating, or shielding, on the day of the elections. They will be able to appoint someone else to vote on their behalf up to 5pm on polling day.
If you are registered to vote, you will be able to vote in person at a polling station on 6 May. Polling station details are provided in poll cards which are currently being distributed to registered voters.
All polling stations will be equipped with hand sanitisers and signage to ensure everyone keeps a safe distance. All voters and polling staff will be required to wear a face covering (unless exempt). Pencils will be available, but voters can bring their own pen or pencil if they prefer.
Some neighbourhood plan referendums are also taking place on 6 May.
These are:
Arne, Blandford+, Chickerell, Milton Abbas, Portland, Puddletown and Shaftesbury.
When adopted, neighbourhood plans become part of the development plan for an area. See the adopted local plans. They sit alongside a local plan and are considered in deciding whether or not planning permission should be given.
Find out more about the elections and referendums
