Don’t lose your right to vote

Carlisle City Council is urging local residents to make their mark and take up their right to vote at this Thursday’s (1 May) local elections.

A third of the City Council seats will be contested this week and 66,650 local residents will be given the opportunity to choose which candidate should serve their ward. One City Councillor will be elected to serve each of the following 16 wards:

Belah, Belle Vue, Botcherby, Brampton, Castle, Currock, Dalston, Denton Holme, Great Corby & Geltsdale, Harraby, Hayton, Morton, St. Aidans, Stanwix Urban, Wetheral and Yewdale.*

Preparations are now well underway for the elections, 81 polling stations will soon be set up at 66 different locations around the city. Poll cards have been sent to all eligible voters with information on where their polling station is. All polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm.

The Returning Officer for the elections, Maggie Mooney - Carlisle City Council’s Town Clerk & Chief Executive, said:

"We want as many voters as possible to come out and make their mark. Local government provides a wide-range of services to residents and elections allow them the opportunity to have their say. We have had disappointing turnouts in the past and we want to reverse this trend. Don’t lose your right to vote!"

There was a 35.45% overall turnout (25,166 votes cast) at the 2007 City Council elections. (70,993 residents were eligible to vote.)

The City Council Elections will be held on Thursday, 1 May 2008. The Election count will be held at The Sands Centre, the first ballot boxes are expected to arrive soon after the polling stations close at 10pm.

* The Carlisle City Council election in the Upperby ward has been delayed until Thursday, 12 June. New applications to vote by post must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, 28 May. Residents wanting to apply to vote by post can request application forms by telephoning 01228 817555 or 01228 817556 or by emailing elections@carlisle.gov.uk

The Notice of Election will be published on Wednesday, 7 May and nominations will close at noon on Thursday, 15 May. The current candidates do not have to submit fresh nominations and will automatically become candidates at the new election, unless they wish to withdraw.

The Election count for the Upperby ward will be held at Civic Centre, the first ballot boxes are expected to arrive soon after the polling stations close at 10pm.