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Borough and Parish Council elections - Thursday 3 May 2012

Colchester Town Hall

Borough and Parish Council Elections will be held on Thursday 3 May 2012. On this day voters are asked to elect councillors to represent them. Approximately a third of the council is elected each year. In wards where there are only two councillors, there will not be local elections every year, as by definition, you cannot elect thirds when there are only two councillors. Once elected, a councillor usually serves for four years before standing for re-election.

This year the wards NOT having elections are Birch and Winstree, Christchurch, Copford and West Stanway, Fordham and Stour, Great Tey, Pyefleet and West Bergholt and Eight Ash Green.

To be eligible to vote in this election, you need to have been registered as an elector on the Electoral Register. Details about how to register are on the right hand side of this page>>>>>>>

The closing date for entries to be added to the electoral register to enable you to vote is Wednesday, 18 April 2012.

Why you should vote

Your local council is a big part of how you live and work. By voting you are having your say on how things should be run.

Councillors are democratically accountable to residents of their wards.  The overriding duty of councillors is to the whole community, but they have a special duty to their constituents, including those who did not vote for them.

Find your Polling Station and District, Electoral Ward and Councillors 

How to vote

You must be registered on the electoral register to vote in an election.

You can vote in person at the polling station listed on your polling card, by post, or by proxy vote (someone else voting for you).

Voting by post

Your postal voting pack will be delivered around Monday, April 23. Please read the instructions with it carefully before completing your postal ballot paper.

Complete your postal vote as soon as possible. The Returning Officer must receive your postal vote by 10:00pm on Thursday May 3, 2012 (polling day). Please note: if you are granted a postal vote, you will not be able to vote in person at a polling station.

Replacement postal vote packs

If you did not receive your postal pack, have lost or spoilt your ballot paper or postal voting statement, you can download a Postal Vote Replacement application form (PDF file). Once this form has been completed and signed it can either be emailed to elections@colchester.gov.uk where a replacement will be posted out (please be aware that due to the timescale you may not receive your replacement postal vote pack in time) or in person with the completed form and one from of photo identification such as:

  • Photo driving licence
  • Young Person's Concession Card
  • National travel Concession Card
  • Photo Bank Card
  • Photo work ID from recognised companies
  • Valid student ID card
  • Passport.

Replacement of spoilt / lost postal ballot papers will commence on Friday April 27, 2012 at the Electoral Services Office. The last day to re-issue spoilt / lost postal ballot papers is 5:00pm Thursday May 3, 2012.

Standing for election

To be able to stand as a candidate in the local elections you will need to complete a Nomination Pack. Nomination papers and consent to nomination must be delivered to the Returning Officer, Rowan House, 33 Sheepen Road, Colchester CO3 3WG by noon on Wednesday 4 April 2012.   You can read the list of candidates for both Borough and Parish elections in the Downloads box on the right hand side of the page>>>>>>>>>

How to contact us

For further information please contact us:

Electoral Services
Colchester Borough Council

Rowan House, 33 Sheepen Road

Colchester

Essex CO3 3WG

Tel: 01206 282820