Postal votes going out this week
Ballot papers for postal voters in Moray will be arriving on doormats over the next few days ahead of the local government elections on Thursday, May 4.
The first and second issues of 14,173 postal votes are being dispatched this week to existing postal voters and postal voters who successfully applied before and up to April 5.
A further issue of an estimated 100 postal votes is expected on April 25 for all those voters who applied to vote by post between April 6 and the April 18 deadline.
Around one in five voters in Moray now choose to use a postal vote as their method of voting.
Depute returning officer Moira Patrick is advising postal voters to make sure they read and follow the instructions carefully before completing and returning their ballot paper.
This is particularly important in the upcoming council elections where the single transferable vote (STV) system will be employed, with voters asked to use numbers to complete their ballot papers and not a cross.
Mrs Patrick said: “Make sure to read the instructions at the top of the ballot paper, explaining the use of numbers. Also, don’t forget to include your date of birth and signature on the postal voting statement. This is a legal requirement and without this accompanying statement your ballot paper cannot be counted.
“This statement is kept separate from your ballot paper when the postal votes are processed so your vote is always secret. Follow the instructions carefully in the pack to make sure your vote counts.”
Mrs Patrick also advised voters to ensure they return their ballot papers promptly, making sure that when they seal their return envelope that the returning officer’s return address can be seen through the window of Envelope B.
A pictorial guide on how to fill in your postal vote can be found at www.moray.gov.uk/elections
Postal ballot papers must be received by the returning officer by 10pm on Thursday, May 4 at the latest. Once completed, the ballot paper and postal vote statement should be placed in the envelope and returned to make sure that it is received in good time.
If you are going to be away on polling day, there is still time to register for a postal vote up until 5pm on Tuesday, April 18.
Those who will be away on polling day also have the option of a proxy vote which allows them to nominate someone else to cast their vote for them. The deadline for applying for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday, April 25.
Electors should contact the Elgin electoral registration office on 01343 541203 or visit www.votemoray.org for more information.
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.