Poll cards begin to arrive at Ross-shire households; Highland Council gears up for huge logistical operation; Deadline to register to vote in crunch UK General Election looms
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POLL cards for people across the Highlands registered to vote in the UK Parliamentary election have started to arrive.
Already 185,469 people living in the Highlands are registered to vote for the December 12 election.
The returning officer, Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson, is advising everyone to carefully check their cards when they arrive through the post to find out where they need to go to vote.
She said: “The poll cards have details on where you need to go to cast your vote. The address of your local polling station will be clearly shown and it is a good idea to check this as the location may have changed from the last time you voted.”
To vote in the 2019 election you must be aged 18 or over and your name must be on the electoral register. Electors not already registered have up until Tuesday, November 26 to register to vote or apply for a postal vote. See here for more information,
Anyone who would like more information on registering can get in touch with the Electoral Registration Officer, Moray House, 16-18 Bank Street, Inverness IV1 1QY. Phone 0800 393783 or email ero@highland.gov.uk
On Thursday, December 12, a total of 257 polling places will be open from 7am until 10pm. Some 69 of these are in the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency; 101 in the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency and 87 in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency.
A link to the latest review of polling places and districts which provides information on the location of polling stations is available from the council's website.
https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/21083/appendix_1_-_review_of_polling_places_and_districts_18_july_2019
Over 1000 staff will be involved in the election to assist with polling, process postal votes, count votes and undertake transport duties,
The votes will be counted overnight on Thursday, December 12 after polls close at 10pm.
Donna Manson added: “Running the election for all three Highland constituencies is a huge operation involving many council staff from all across the area This is therefore a good time to remind the public that there will be a reduced level of support for some non-essential council services on December 12 and 13 while staff focus on their election duties.”
A short information video is now available outlining the election process in Highland
It can be seen here.
