We can’t tell you who to vote for, but we can let you know how to vote. Here’s Hull’s longest-serving election journalist Angus Young with the lowdown.
The countdown is underway to the city council elections. Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, May 7, but there’s plenty going on before then. For a start, the pre-election period is already underway with the official publication of the Notice of Election by the council.
In his hi-tech era, it’s comforting to know this not only involves publishing the notice online but also attaching a good old-fashioned paper version to a cork noticeboard in the Guildhall using a couple of drawing pins. Council chief executive Matt Jukes recently performed the traditional tricky task of pushing the drawing pins in place without stabbing himself in the process. He said: “With our local electrons fast approaching, I would like to encourage all residents who aren’t already, to register to vote. In particular, any residents who have moved house, changed their name or turned 18 in the last year will need to register so that they are able to vote.
“It is also important to remind electors that, reflecting national legislation, they now need to show acceptable photo ID to vote at a polling station or, of course, you can register for a postal vote. These elections are the opportunity for residents to have their say on who represents them on Hull City Council, dealing with decisions and issues that directly affect our day-to-day lives.”
The deadline to register to vote is Monday, April 20, and the online process takes just five minutes. People can choose to vote by post for any reason, including if they cannot get to a polling station on Thursday 7 May. Applications can also be made online. It is also possible to vote by proxy, where a voter can appoint someone they trust to vote on their behalf. Applications for a proxy vote can also be made online.
Paper application forms for both postal and proxy votes can also be requested from the Electoral Services office by email: electoral.services@hullcc.gov.uk or by phone, 01482 613386.
The deadline for new postal vote applications or for changes to an existing postal or proxy votes is 5pm on Tuesday, April 21.
The deadline for new proxy vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
Meanwhile, if you fancy standing as a candidate you have until Friday, April 9, to submit your nomination papers.
The main political parties already have their candidates in place so anyone thinking of throwing their hat into the ring will probably have to stand as an independent. The full list of nominated candidates is expected to be published late on April 9. Of Hull’s 21 wards, one seat each in 19 wards is up for grabs on May 7. The two wards where elections are not taking place are Ings and Kingswood.
The council’s current political make-up has the Liberal Democrats as the majority group on 29 seats. Labour hold 23 seats while there are five Independents. Of the seats on the council being contested in the elections, the Lib Dems currently hold ten seats while Labour hold nine. This year, for the first time, both Reform UK and the Green Party have already announced they will be fielding a full slate of candidates.