By-election voters urged to check their poll cards
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE RETURNING OFFICER
The Highland Council is asking anyone intending to cast their vote in person in the upcoming Fort William and Ardnamurchan Ward by-election to check their poll card carefully as the location of some polling stations may have changed.
In order not to disrupt the education of pupils the Council will not be using school premises as polling stations but instead will be using local community halls.
Poll cards have been posted out to all eligible voters and these confirm the location of where people need to go on Thursday 2 December 2021 to cast their vote. Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. The counting of votes will take place the next day, Friday 3 December 2021.
Anyone over 16 years old who is eligible to vote, and is living in the ward can take part in this by-election if they are registered, this includes qualifying foreign nationals. There is still time to register as the deadline is midnight on Monday 15 November 2021. To register visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or telephone the Electoral Registration Officer on 0800 393 783 or email ero@highland.gov.uk to request a paper application form.
Voters will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their polling station or they can apply for either a postal vote or appoint a proxy, which is appointing someone to vote on their behalf.
The electorate figure for Ward 21, as of 22 October 2021, is 8,866 and to day 2,173 people have registered for a postal vote. Due to the unpredictable winter weather, people who usually vote in person may want to consider applying for a postal vote for their convenience. The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 16 November 2021 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy is 5pm on Tuesday 23 November 2021.
Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 or emailing ero@highland.gov.uk.
The seven candidates standing are:
• Mark DRAYTON
• Sarah FANET - Scottish National Party (SNP)
• Roger LILEY - Scottish Liberal Democrats
• Joanne MATHESON - Independent
• Andy MCKENNA - Independent
• Ruraidh STEWART - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
• Kate WILLIS - Scottish Green Party
Full details of the by-election can be found on the Council’s website - https://www.highland.gov.uk/byelection