Great Yarmouth Borough Council invites candidates for local elections

Following a local referendum in 2017, the borough council is moving to whole council elections, meaning all 39 seats across all 17 wards will be available, with elections then taking place every four years. All parish councils will also have elections this year.

In order to stand in the elections, a candidate must meet the relevant qualifying criteria, and must also sign and submit a nomination form, together with consent to nomination. For further guidance, visit The Electoral Commission (opens new window) website.

Nomination forms for candidates can be submitted from now until 4pm on Wednesday, April 3. The list of nominated candidates will be published soon thereafter, including on the council's website at www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/electionsandvoting

Polling cards will be sent out next week, however it is not too late to register. Potential voters who are not currently on the electoral register are reminded they need to sign up as soon as possible if they want to vote. The last date to register to vote is Friday, April 12.

If an elector is unable to vote in person at the polling station on the day, they can apply for a postal or proxy vote.

The deadline for receiving new postal vote and to cancel/amend existing postal vote records is 5pm on Monday, April 15. Postal votes will be issued around Tuesday, April 16. The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5pm on Wednesday, April 24.

Registering to vote is easiest online via www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Alternatively, a paper form can be requested by contacting the Elections Team via 01493 846327 or elections@great-yarmouth.gov.uk For more information about eligibility to vote, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk