May 2023 Elections

Information on this page is divided into two sections.

Part 1: New and Important Information for Residents wishing to Vote in the May 2023 Elections
Part 2: Information for Residents wishing to stand as a Parish Councillor at the May 2023 Elections.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, it is not the responsibility of King’s Somborne Parish Council to ensure you hold all the information required in order to stand at, or to vote at the Elections on 4 May 2023. The information shared on this page is published as ‘general information’ only. Whilst we will endeavour to keep this page updated as information is received from TVBC, the Parish Council takes no responsibility for ensuring all the information you require is posted to it. If you have any questions, please contact the Electoral Services at TVBC direct.

Electoral Services Office Contact Details

Telephone: 01264 368000

Email: elecreg@testvalley.gov.uk

Part 1: Voting in the May Elections

PHOTOGRAPHIC ID WILL BE REQUIRED:

By law, from 4 May 2023, all residents will need to show photographic ID when they go to a polling station before they receive their ballot paper. The government is introducing the changes to reduce and prevent voter fraud. TVBC Press Release on Photographic ID – January 2023

List of photographic ID that will be accepted.

Should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact Electoral Services at TVBC, on 01264 368000 or elecreg@testvalley.gov.uk.

Part 2: Standing as a Parish Councillor at the May 2023 Elections

GUIDANCE AND NOMINATION FORMS:

Anyone wishing to stand in any of these elections is advised to read the Candidates guidance produced by the Electoral Commission, which outlines aspects of the elections and what is expected of candidates.

Links to the relevant Electoral Commissions guidance candidates will need are available within the attached local notes. The local notes document outlines initial information about the arrangements for the elections in our area, such as the statutory timetable; when nomination forms can be delivered to us; how when and where the count will take place; when postal votes are likely to be despatched and links to useful information. Therefore TVBC strongly recommends that you read through the attached document and continue to use it for reference. These notes must also be read alongside the forms when candidates are completing their nominations, as any errors in the papers may delay submission.

TVBC has also attached annotated nomination forms, which are for reference only, and that hopefully aid candidates in completing their papers ready for submission.

In addition, it would be very helpful for the attached contact form to be completed for each candidate and returned with the nomination papers, in order that TVBC is able to quickly make contact with candidates as and when necessary.

Additional Notes: Please note the deadline for the submission of nomination forms in particular (4pm on 4 April 2023) – all 10 parish councillor seats within the Parish of King’s Somborne are up for election in May, so even those councillors who are hoping to remain on the parish council will need to complete a nomination form. Nominations will commence following the publication of the Notice of Election on Wednesday 22 March 2023.

TVBC cannot accept any nomination forms that have been posted to them. If they receive forms in the post, and they are not able to make contact with the candidate to arrange for hand delivery, they may have to reject the nomination form. Where possible, TVBC will be asking for people to make appointments to deliver their forms, although a nomination will not be rejected if it is delivered without an appointment. When making the appointment with them, please advise how many nomination forms are being submitted, so that they can ensure that they allow the correct amount of time for you.

TVBC advise that forms are delivered as soon as possible, and are not left until the final day for submission. TVBC also remind you that the forms must be delivered to the place that will be specified on the Notice of Election. Please note that it doesn’t have to be the candidate that delivers the forms – anyone can do this.

Day of poll and arrangements for the count

If contested, any polls will take place on Thursday 4 May, with the verification and count taking place in Andover on Friday 5 May 2023, commencing at 9.00am. More information about these arrangements will be provided in the New Year.

Spending Returns

These must be completed and returned to us by Thursday 1 June 2023. Forms for this can be downloaded from Part 3 of the Electoral Commission guidance link above. Should you require any advice on completing these forms, you will need to speak to the Electoral Commission as Electoral Services at TVBC are not able to assist. All candidates must complete these if the election is contested, even if they are not elected.

Candidates and Agents’ Briefing

TVBC will be holding a briefing session for candidates/agents about all the elections scheduled for May on Wednesday 8 March 2023 @ 5.00pm, which will be held online via Microsoft Teams. The link for this meeting will be made available nearer the time, and it is open to any potential candidate or Clerk that would like to attend.

Cost of contested parish elections

It is Test Valley Borough Council’s policy that parish council election costs should be borne by the electorate of that parish by way of the parish precept, and not met generally as part of the Borough’s Council Tax. The policy is therefore to charge election costs to parishes. The final cost charged to your parish will be influenced by a number of factors, such as any change in the numbers of electors in your parish, the number of postal voters, polling station hiring costs, etc. Where possible, TVBC will share the costs of any contested parish election with any other poll taking place on 4 May (currently TVBC elections only) and these costs will be split 50/50.

It is very difficult to give an accurate indication of how much a contested parish election would be, however parishes should allow in the region of £2.00 – £2.50 per elector on the register for the cost of any poll.

Should a parish by uncontested, there will be a small administrative charge made to the parish of approximately £30 (this would be per parish ward in those parishes that are warded).

Electoral Services Office Contact Details

Telephone: 01264 368000

Email: elecreg@testvalley.gov.uk