Tomorrow is Election Day in Crawley, are you ready?

Tomorrow is Election Day, meaning that across Crawley registered voters will have the chance to say who they think should represent them on the council and as Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner.

Hopefully everyone now knows they will need to show valid photo ID when they vote. If this comes as news to you, then please check if you have the right ID here: https://openbritain.typeform.com/to/BBC4QUZ9

If you don’t have valid ID, then there is still time to do something about it. If there is someone you trust to vote on your behalf (and who does have valid photo ID), you can apply for a proxy vote by completing this form and returning to Electoral Services at the Town Hall by 5pm tomorrow: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-04/Emergency%20proxy%20Photo%20ID%20GB.pdf It may also be worth applying for a Voter Authority Certificate from the council for future elections or applying for a postal vote–which do not require voter ID, by going to: https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

Polling stations will be open tomorrow from 7am to 10pm. You don’t need your polling card to vote, only your photo ID. In the very unlikely event that there is a queue at a polling station when polls close, anyone who is already in the queue at 10pm will still be permitted to vote.

Some polling stations have ‘tellers’ outside, these are members of political parties who will ask to see your polling card, this so we don’t bother anyone who has already voted by knocking your door on the day. Telling is in-line with election law, but they are not allowed to undertake any actual campaigning at or around polling stations.

To find your local polling station, go to: https://iwillvote.org.uk/

If you have a postal vote, but haven’t yet returned it, there may not now be time for it to arrive before close of poll. Instead, it can be handed in at the Town Hall before tomorrow morning or at any polling station in Crawley on the day (note: campaigners are banned from touching completed postal votes, so we won’t be able to hand these in for you). If you have lost your postal vote, you can still request another one any time before 5pm tomorrow by contacting Electoral Services.

To reach Electoral Services to raise this, or any other matter relating to the election, their hotline is (01293) 438645.

Many thanks for doing your bit for democracy,