By-election postal votes issue

Postal voters in the forthcoming Moray Council by-election in the Elgin City North ward should receive their ballot packs on Saturday.

More than 1830 postal votes will be issued on Friday to those who successfully applied by Friday, June 23. This represents an increase of 3.2% over the council elections in May.

The final deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm today, with a further issue early next week.

Postal voters are reminded to following the instructions contained within their ballot pack and return their completed ballot paper promptly.

Those who will be away on polling day – Thursday, July 13 – still have time to apply for a proxy vote. To do so they need to contact the electoral registration office and apply by Wednesday, July 5.

Seven polling stations will be in operation at four polling places – Bishopmill Hall, Seafield Primary School, Williamson Hall and the Elgin Community Church.

The by-election is being contested by four candidates – Patsy Gowans (SNP), Maria McLean (Scottish Conservative), Terry Monaghan (Independent) and Nick Taylor (Scottish Labour).

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.