Election countdown

With the local elections less than two weeks away, the time has come to dust down the ballot boxes and make sure they’re ready for Thursday, May 3.

Unlike the previous local election in Herefordshire which were carried out by people marking their ballot paper at home and popping it in the post, next month’s election is back to the traditional method of putting your cross on your ballot paper in your local polling station.

“We were very encouraged by the number of people who voted four years ago,” said Neil Pringle, the Returning Officer – the man responsible for managing the election.

“Of those who were eligible to vote, 60 per cent did. This was the highest rate in the country,” added Neil.

“This shows there is genuine interest by the people of Herefordshire to have a say in who they want to make important decisions on their behalf. These decisions affect the lives of everyone who lives and works in the county.

“I would encourage all those who voted last time – and those who didn’t - to take a few minutes to pop down to their local polling station on May 3 and make their mark to help choose their local councillor.”

The council’s Electoral Registration team is currently dusting down around 250 ballot boxes and preparing 203 locations for use as polling stations.

The polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, May 3.

Following the close of polling, the ballot papers will be taken to the Leisure Centre in Holmer Road, Hereford, where they will be counted.

The results will be announced on the Council’s website – http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/ - and the final result is expected to be announced by about 3am on Friday, May 4.