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Electoral Services |
| Torbay Council | |
Town Hall | |
 |
electoral.regist ration@torbay.go v.uk |
 | 01803 207171 |
 | 01803 207112 |
- Why must I register to vote?
- How can I find out if I am on the Register of Electors?
- When are the next elections in Torbay?
- What are we voting for?
- Are we voting for a new mayor this year?
- How can I find out who the candidates are?
- What is a councillor?
- Who is eligible to vote?
- What if I cannot get to the polling station on election day?
- When can I vote?
- Can I vote at any polling station?
- Do I need to have a poll card to vote?
- How do I know which polling station to go to?
- Why have I received two ballot papers?
- Can I apply for a postal vote?
- What does voting by proxy mean?
- My son/daughter is away at university, can I get a postal vote sent to their address?
Although voting is optional, registering is not, as the information is required by law and we have the power to prosecute. Anyone who doesn't return their form could be liable for a fine of up to £1,000
How can I find out if I am on the Register of Electors?
Call the Electoral Services office on 01803 207171 or email; electoral.registration@torbay.gov.uk
When are the next elections in Torbay?
Torbay Council will be holding local elections on Thursday 3rd May 2007. In addition to this, Brixham will be holding elections for its first parish council.
There are two separate elections happening in Torbay on the 3rd May; Torbay Council elections and Brixham Parish Council elections.
Torbay Council elections:
Torbay Council is a unitary authority made up of an elected mayor and 36 councillors. The councillors are elected to hold office for four years. They are responsible for making decisions on behalf of the community about the services provided by the council. The elections on the 3rd May will decide who the 36 councillors will be.
Brixham Parish Council Elections:
Back in July 2005, electors in Brixham voted in a referendum to set up Brixham Parish Council. The council will have twelve councillors and electors in Brixham will decide who these councillors will be. To find out more go the Brixham Town Council page.
Are we voting for a new mayor this year?
No. The elections for the mayor will be in 2011. The first mayoral elections were held in Torbay in October 2005.
How can I find out who the candidates are?
The list of candidates will be displayed outside the town halls in Torquay and Brixham and at the Connections office in Paignton.. However, it is not the job of the council to advertise the candidates they should do this themselves if they want you to vote for them!! You may receive mailings and personal visits from the candidates standing in your ward and they may have their own websites. You can also contact the local political groups for more information.
Your councillor is elected every four years to represent you areThey give a voice for your community and help shape council services to benefit local people.
They can also assist you if you need help or are not happy with council services by advising you or directing you to someone who can help. Sometimes councillors can investigate your problem on your behalf.
Some councillors hold surgeries where you can meet councillors and discuss any problems.
Torbay Council has 36 councillors and a directly elected mayor.
- In order to vote you must be included on the register of electors
- You must also be eighteen years or over (if you are 18 on the day of the election you can vote)
- All British, Irish and other European Union citizens
- All Commonwealth citizens
- Members of HM Forces and their spouses
- Crown Servants employed outside the UK
What if I cannot get to the polling station on election day?
You can vote by post if you wish to but your completed postal vote application form must reach us no later than 5 pm on Wednesday 18 April if you wish to vote by post for the elections on 3rd May. If you wish to apply for a postal vote please contact the Electoral Services office.
Hours of voting on election day have now been extended to fall in line with the polling hours for Parliamentary elections. The hours are from 7.00 a.m. until 10.00 p.m.
If you have a postal vote is is advisable to complete the ballot paper and supporting documents as soon as possible and send them to the Returning Officer promptly.
Can I vote at any polling station?
No. You can only vote at the polling station indicated on your poll card as this will be the polling station which has your name on the register.
Do I need to have a poll card to vote?
No. You do not need to have a poll card to vote, provided that you are actually on the register of electors. The poll card provides you with where and when you need to vote as well as your elector number, but you do not need to have the card. If you do not receive a poll card and you need to know where your polling station is please contact the Electoral Services office.
How do I know which polling station to go to?
The polling station is written on your poll card. You may also contact the Electoral Services office to find out.
Why have I received two ballot papers?
Electors in Brixham will receive two ballot papers, one for each of the elections they are voting for; the Torbay Council Elections and also their own parish council elections.
Can I apply for a postal vote?
Yes. If you do not wish to go to the polling station to cast your vote then you may alternatively wish to apply for a postal vote.
Following a recent change in legislation, electors wishing to vote by post are now required to provide “personal identifiers” in the form of a signature and date of birth. These measures have been introduced to make postal voting a more secure process. All elections taking place on or after the 3rd May will require all postal ballot papers to be accompanied by a security statement which will require voters to enter their personal identifiers for the vote to be valid. At the opening of postal votes these identifiers will be compared against the signature and date of birth which we hold securely on file.
Please contact the Electoral Services office for an application form or download a form, from Related Documents.
What does voting by proxy mean?
A proxy is someone who votes on your behalf at an election. If you cannot get to the polling station on election day than you could appoint somebody to go for you. If you want to vote by proxy, contact the Electoral Services office for an application form or download a form, from Related Documents.
My son/daughter is away at university, can I get a postal vote sent to their address?
Students can register at both their home and away / University / College address, (or just at one of them), as long as they don't vote twice in the same election. This means that they can vote in different local elections but they can not vote for both areas in a Parliamentary Election
Related Documents
Application form to vote by post
Application form to vote by a proxy
Review of Polling Districts - Comments Received
Review of Polling Districts - Condensed Report of the Returning Officer for Torbay
Review of Polling Districts - Condensed Report of the Returning Officer for Totnes
To view any published Related Documents for this service you will require the appropriate software. To download this software please see our documents help page. All links to documents will open in a new window. To request documents and files in an alternative format please contact us using the contact information provided on this page.