European Parliamentary Elections — Postal Vote Reminder

Voters wishing to get a postal vote for the forthcoming European Parliamentary Elections are being reminded that they need to apply by 5pm on May 8.

To apply, contact the Electoral Registration Office on 01856876222 or drop into their offices on 8, Broad Street, Kirkwall or by emailing ero@orkney.gov.uk

Packs will be sent out from May 8 onwards and will contain three items — a ballot paper, a return envelope and a postal voting statement attached to a ballot paper envelope.

Postal votes should be posted to reach the Council Offices no later than 10pm on May 23, polling day. However, postal votes can also be handed into polling stations and the Council Offices at School Place on the day of the election before 10pm.

Around 25 per cent of Orkney’s electorate has a postal vote, meaning that they do not have to attend a polling station on polling day to vote.

At this point in time, the UK will be holding elections to the European Parliament on Thursday, May 23 and arrangements have been put in place by Orkney Islands Council’s elections team, in line with local authorities across the country.

Electors under the age of 18 will not be eligible to vote in this election.

EU citizens living in Orkney are being contacted about additional paperwork they will need to complete if they intend to vote in the county. European Parliament Voter Registration forms allow EU citizens to vote here, rather than in their home country and are being sent out this week to over 200 EU citizens currently resident in Orkney. Completed forms should be returned by 5pm on Tuesday May 7.

Anyone who wishes to register to vote, vote by post, postal proxy or proxy, and has not already applied, can do so now by visiting the online service at ‘Register to Vote’ on the GOV.UK website or by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 01856876222.

For any other general queries in respect of the election, please contact the Election Office on 01856886350.

The deadlines for application are as follow:

• Deadline for receiving applications for registration to vote — midnight on May 7

• Deadline for receiving applications for postal votes — 5pm on May 8

• Deadline for receiving applications for postal proxy votes — 5pm on May 8

• Deadline for receiving applications for proxy votes — 5pm on May 15

Anyone wanting to check their entry on the Register of Electors can also contact the Electoral Registration Office on the above number.