With elections for new Ruddington Borough and Parish Councillors taking place on Thursday 4th May 2023, there are a few things villagers may need to do right now in preparation.
Firstly, not only do residents need to make sure we are registered to vote, we will also need to have an accepted form of ‘photo ID’ ready to show if voting in person. It follows the UK Government introducing this requirement – which applies for the first time in England at these 4th May polls.
Forms of acceptable photo ID, which can be used to vote with, include:
• Passport
• Driving licence (including provisional licence)
• Blue badge
• Certain concessionary travel cards
• Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
• Biometric Immigration document
• Defence identity card
• Certain national identity cards
If you don’t have any of these forms of ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document known as a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ by completing an online form at gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-to-vote or filling in a paper application form and sending it to Rushcliffe Borough Council’s electoral services team.
Alternatively, you can attend a specially organised ‘in-person’ drop-in session, at St Peter’s Rooms on Church Street, this Thursday 30th March, between 3pm and 7pm, to have your photo taken and the ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ completed with one of the Council’s Customer Services team. You’ll need to have your date of birth and national insurance number to hand and already be registered to vote before you arrive.
Secondly, it’s still not too late to stand as an election candidate! For our three Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) seats the major political parties have already revealed who they’ll be asking us to vote for in Ruddington. However, if you have no strong political allegiance, you may wish to stand as an independent Councillor here. RBC says it’s keen that any individual who has the desire to represent their local area is aware of the ease of the process to stand as a candidate – taking no longer than an hour to complete all the relevant paperwork. Prospective candidates can view the Council’s ‘Become A Councillor’ information pack.
RBC’s Chief Executive Katherine Marriott, who is also the Returning Officer for these elections, explains: “We’re asking residents who are passionate about their local community to stand as a Borough, Town or Parish councillor at this year’s elections in May. It can be exceptionally rewarding and by standing and being elected you can help change your community for the better. Age or experience is not important, you can represent your local area as long as you are over 18. You don’t have to be part of a political party, anyone can stand as an independent candidate.”
However, please note the deadline to complete and return your Nomination Paper is 4pm on Tuesday 4th April. This will also need to be signed by a proposer and a seconder who are already registered to vote in the relevant Ward.
Its the same deadline if you wish to become a Ruddington Parish Councillor – where it’s hoped enough villagers will put themselves forward to enable an election this time. There are sixteen Parish Council seats up for grabs in our village – four each in Camelot Ward, Easthorpe Ward, Flawford Ward and Manor Ward – although candidates do not necessarily have to reside in the Ward for which they are standing.
Other key deadlines to bear in mind are 5pm on Tuesday 18th April 2023 to apply to vote by post or 5pm on Tuesday 25th April 2023 to apply to vote by proxy.
In-person voting at either Ruddington Village Hall or St Peter’s Rooms (depending upon which part of our village you live in) will then take place on Thursday 4th May from 7am to 10pm. It’s hoped residents will turn out in large numbers that day to exercise their democratic right.
