Next May will be busy for voters with Parliamentary, District and local parish and town council elections all taking place on 7 May. But it will be even busier for the people who organise the elections in Wealden, the District Council’s Electoral Services.
That is why they are looking for people to help assist at the polling stations and take part in the election counts.
“I can’t remember a busier time for running elections,” said Charles Lant, Wealden’s District Returning Officer. “We are expecting a turnout of around 70 per cent for the Parliamentary elections. Voters will also be casting their ballots for 55 representatives on Wealden District Council as well as councillors to sit on local parish and town councils.
“We expect polling stations to be very busy on Thursday 7 May, but we will also have to run election counts overnight on the Thursday, and on the following Saturday as part of the democratic process. We are looking for people to help at the polling station and take part in the election counts. If you want to be part of the unfolding story, please register your interest on the Wealden website at www.wealden.gov.uk/elections2015.
A number of training sessions are being organised in the new year for people who would like to consider helping at polling stations as a poll clerk, or taking part in the election counts – either for the Thursday night into Friday morning
Parliamentary count which will begin at 10 pm, or the Saturday District and Parish/Town Council Count which will take place on Saturday 9 May. Helpers should be numerate, enthusiastic and have plenty of stamina. Poll Clerks and Count
Assistants are remunerated for their work.
- Poll Clerks help at Polling Stations, greeting voters, handing out ballot papers and marking the Register of Voters.
- Count Assistants work in teams, verifying the number of ballots papers and counting votes cast.
Both roles require a responsible, non-partisan approach. Poll Clerks must be over 18 years, Count Assistants over 16 years.
More information in can be found on the Wealden website – under Recruitment for Elections 2015 or email elections@wealden.gov.uk
