Under two weeks to register to vote in Wick by-election
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VOTERS who want to take part in the forthcoming by-election in the Wick and east Caithness ward have less than two weeks to register. They must do so by midnight on Monday, 26 July.
Polling will take place on Thursday, August 12 to elect one of five candidates standing in The Highland Council's Wick and East Caithness ward and one of seven candidates standing in the Inverness West ward so voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to make their vote count.
The by-elections have arisen due to the resignations of councillor Nicola Sinclair, one of the four councillors representing the Wick and east Caithness ward, and Councillor Graham Ross, one of three members of the Inverness West ward.
Everyone who is eligible to vote can vote in person on the day at a polling station or can apply for a postal vote. The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 27 July.
Postal packs will be despatched by Royal Mail on Tuesday 3 August 2021 to those registered electors that have submitted a form by the postal vote deadline. A short film has been created to provide further guidance on how to complete your postal pack and is available to view from this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=H4XO7_xHHzQ.
Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 12 August 2021 and the electronic counting of votes will take place the following day in Inverness.
Anyone intending to vote is reminded that the single transferable vote system will be used. Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on. Voters can mark as many choices as they wish. Voters are asked to put no other mark on the ballot paper as this could result in their vote not being counted.
To complete a register to vote application online visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote (external link) or alternatively telephone the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393 783 or email ero@highland.gov.uk to request a paper application form. Applications must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Moray House, 16-18 Bank Street, Inverness, IV1 1QY by the deadline.
The five Wick and East Caithness ward candidates standing for election are:
Cameron, Michael James - Scottish National Party (SNP)
Christian, Harry - Scottish Libertarian Party
Fernie, Bill - Independent
Ross, Daniel - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Tilt, Jill - Scottish Liberal Democrats.
