Great Yarmouth Borough Council invites candidates for local elections

The borough council has 39 councillors who represent 17 wards across the borough. This year, in addition to the routine election relating to 13 seats, there will also be a by-election in the Central and Northgate Ward.

Local elections will not be held in the Ormesby, Fleggburgh, West Flegg, and St Andrews wards, whose electorates are not large enough to have three councillors each. There are no parish council elections this year.

In order to stand in the elections, a candidate must meet the relevant qualifying criteria, and must also sign and submit a nomination form, together with consent to nomination. For further guidance, visit The Electoral Commission (opens new window)

Nomination forms for candidates can be submitted from now until 4pm on Friday, April 6. The list of nominated candidates will be published soon thereafter, including on the council's website at Elections and voting (opens new window)

All councillors this year will be elected for a term of one year, rather than the normal four. Following a local referendum, the borough council is moving to whole council elections from May 2019, when all 39 seats will be available.

Polling cards were sent out earlier this week, however it is not too late to register. Potential voters who are not currently on the electoral register are reminded they need to sign up as soon as possible if they want to vote. The last date to register to vote is Tuesday, April 17.

If an elector is unable to vote in person at the polling station on the day, they can apply for a postal or proxy vote.

The deadline for receiving new postal vote and to cancel/amend existing postal vote records is 5pm on Wednesday, April 18. Postal votes will be issued around Thursday, April 19. The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5pm on Wednesday, April 25.

Registering to vote is easiest online via Register to Vote (opens new window).  Alternatively, a paper form can be requested by contacting the Elections Team via 01493 846327 or elections.  For more information about eligibility to vote, visit The Electoral Commission (opens new window)