Showing posts with label Helen Briggs acting returning officer for Rutland Response to Rutland Postal Voters - Disenfranchised? Postal Votes Facts & Figures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helen Briggs acting returning officer for Rutland Response to Rutland Postal Voters - Disenfranchised? Postal Votes Facts & Figures. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Helen Briggs acting returning officer for Rutland Response to Rutland Postal Voters - Disenfranchised? Postal Votes Fact & Figures

Dear Mr Brookes

Thank you for your email.

Personal attack redacted.

In total the following numbers of postal votes have been sent out on the following dates (the statement of persons nominated was published on 10th April 2015):-

Issued 16th April 1,333

Issued 21st April 2,715

Issued 27th April 547

The majority of Postal Votes were sent out earlier than in previous years exactly to give voters a greater opportunity to send back their postal votes. The Electoral Commission guidance requires that Postal Votes must be issued as soon as practicable.  I believe we have more than met this requirement.


The final date for registering to vote was 20th April 2015

The final date for registering for a postal vote was 21st April 2015


In view of the above there is always a requirement to send out a later allocation of postal votes. To that end on Monday 27th April the final batch of postal votes was despatched  totalling 547.  Clearly once the deadlines for application for postal votes has passed we are required to make arrangements for Postal Votes to be sent as requested. If these are to be sent to recently registered voters then we are required to perform certain checks to ensure that the registration is valid.


In the period 1st April to 1st May 2015 we have added 550 to the Electoral Register. Since the 13th April we have had 547 additional requests for Postal Votes.


For reference to date we have received a return 46% of the postal votes sent out. With 8 days to go including polling day I am confident of a good overall response.


If anyone has a query about the election they should contact the Election team by email elections@rutland.gov.uk or by telephone on 01572 720954

Regards

Helen Briggs acting returning officer for Rutland