Letters explaining key changes to Trafford Council’s next election are being sent out to every household in the borough.
The hand-delivered missives will detail changes to ward boundaries as well as the Government’s requirement to show photo identification when voting at a polling station.
Residents can expect the Household Notification Letters to land between 3 and 10 March.
Sara Todd, Returning Officer for Trafford Council, said:
“Local councils in England are facing some big changes to their elections in May so we want to make sure everyone is aware of what they need to do to be able to vote.
“Please read through the letters when they arrive. For most people it will hopefully be straightforward but our elections team can answer any queries anyone might have.”
New legislation brought in by the Government requires every voter to show photo identification at a polling station. The letter explains what identification is acceptable.
If voters do not have an acceptable form of ID, they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate – and the letter explains how they can do that.
Voting by post is not affected by this change, and the letter comes with a postal vote application form for anyone preferring to vote by post.
In Trafford, ward changes brought in by the Boundary Commission mean that some new wards have been created and some boundaries have shifted. Some voters will therefore be asked to vote at a different polling station.
The bespoke letters will explain to each household where their polling station is and which ward they will be a part of.
The ward changes mean that all 63 seats in the 21 wards will be up for election on 4 May. All voters will have three votes to choose their preferred candidates.
Information about the voting changes is also available at www.trafford.gov.uk/elections.
Posted on Wednesday 1st March 2023