Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Increased security for postal and proxy voters.
The change in law, introduced this month, means that every council must contact all electors with a postal or proxy vote to obtain further information from them, so that they can continue to vote in this way.

Under the national initiative, funded by the Government, all existing postal and proxy voters are being asked to return a form giving their date of birth and signature. In West Wiltshire, these forms need to be posted back in the pre-paid envelope provided as the collation is being carried out by an external company on behalf of the Council.

Principal elections officer Caroline Rudland explained: “The new legislation is being introduced to minimise the potential for postal and proxy voting fraud. The information provided will be kept secure and only used to check the authenticity of postal and proxy votes during an election.”

Existing postal and proxy voters must return the forms to ensure they can continue to vote in this way. Failure to provide the information will result in postal and proxy votes automatically being cancelled, although the elector will still be able to vote at a polling station.

For further information, or to apply for a postal or proxy vote, contact the elections department on 01225 770312 or visit the Council’s website