Elections

Borough and Parish Council Elections - Thursday 4 May 2023

Rossendale Borough Council comprises 36 elected Councillors representing 14 Wards across the Borough.  Councillors are elected to serve a 4 year term with elections covering one third of the seats taking place every year, except 1 year in 4 when County Council elections are held.

On Thursday 4 May 2023, residents will have their say on how Rossendale Borough Council is run.  One Councillor in each of the following wards is being elected:

• Cribden
• Facit & Shawforth
• Greenfield
• Greensclough
• Hareholme
• Healey & Whitworth
• Helmshore
• Irwell
• Longholme
• Stacksteads
• Whitewell
• Worsley

The Notice of Election can be viewed here.  The Notice of Poll can be viewed here.  The results can be viewed here.

Nominations have now closed for these elections, you can view the list of candidates here and their election agents details can be found here.

Elections are also taking place on Thursday 4 May 2023 for Whitworth Town Council.  Six Councillors in each of the following wards are being elected:

•           Facit & Shawforth

•           Healey & Whitworth

The Notice of Election can be viewed here.

Nominations have now closed for this election, as the amount of nominations received equalled the number of seats available, all candidates have been elected uncontested, you can view their details here.

Register to vote

Registered voters will be sent a poll card between the end of March and early April.  If you have not received a poll card by 9 April 2023, or you have recently moved, you may not be registered to vote.  You can register to vote online or contact Electoral Services and request a paper copy of the form.  The deadline to register to vote at these elections is midnight on Monday 17 April 2023.

Who can vote

To vote at these elections, you must be aged 18 or over on election day and be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of another member state of the European Union.

Your name must appear on the Electoral Register before you can vote.

Voter ID is being introduced for everyone who votes in person at a polling station from May 2023.  You can find further information here.

Voting by post

Voters who have already requested to vote by post will be sent a postal poll card around the end of March with information about their postal vote.  If you wish to cancel your postal vote and vote in person at your polling station, you must notify Electoral Services before 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023.

If you wish to apply to vote by post, you must send us your completed application before 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023.  Please contact Electoral Services to request an application form.

If you require a postal vote because you will be away on election day but are going away before they are posted around 18 April (please see further information about issue dates below), you may wish to consider voting by proxy instead.  if you wish to vote by proxy, you must send us your completed application before 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.  If you are already registered to vote by post, you must cancel your postal vote before 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023 if you now wish to vote by proxy.

When will I receive my postal vote?

If you are already registered to vote by post or your application reaches us by Thursday 30 March 2023, your postal vote will be sent around 18 April 2023 by first class mail.  If we receive your application between Friday 31 March and the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023 then your postal vote will be issued around 25 April 2023.

If you have not received your postal vote by Thursday 27 April 2023, please contact Electoral Services.

How do I complete my postal vote?

When you receive your postal vote, read the instructions carefully.  Your postal vote includes the ballot paper and a postal voting statement.  Complete both of these and return them straight away.  Completed postal votes need to be returned to the Returning Officer by 10pm on Thursday 4 May 2023.  If you miss the post you can hand your completed postal vote into any polling station in the Ward in which you are registered or at Futures Park in Bacup.

If you need help to vote, you can ask someone you know or get independent help by contacting Electoral Services.

If you lose your postal vote or make a mistake, contact Electoral Services straight away.  A replacement postal vote can only be issued between Thursday 27 April and 5pm on Thursday 4 May 2023.

Voting by proxy

If you will be away or cannot go to the polling station on 4 May, you can apply to vote by proxy.  This means someone else can vote on your behalf.

Completed applications must reach us before 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.  Your appointed proxy must attend your polling station to vote on your behalf.  They will need to provide their own ID at the polling station, further information can be found here,  If they are unable to attend your polling station they can apply to vote by postal proxy but they must do so before 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023.  Contact Electoral Services for an application form.

If after 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023 you have a medical emergency or learn you cannot go to the polling station because of work reasons, you can apply to vote by emergency proxy.  This means someone else can vote on your behalf.  The deadline for completed applications is 5pm on Thursday 4 May 2023.

How to vote

Always read the instructions on how to complete the ballot paper carefully, even if you have voted before.  The ballot paper lists the name of each candidate along with their party name and party logo (if any).

You are able to vote for one candidate at the Rossendale Borough Council election and up to six candidates at the Whitworth Town Council election.  Simply put an X (a cross) next to the candidate(s) you wish to vote for.

Who is elected

The candidate with the most votes is elected using the first past the post system.  A total of 12 Borough Councillors for Rossendale will be elected.  Each will serve a 4 year term of office.

The six candidates with the most votes are elected using the first past the post system for the Town Council election, a total of 12 Town Councillors will be elected to serve a 4 year term of office.

Results

The count will take place on Friday 5 May 2023 at 9.30am.  Results will be announced throughout the day and will be published on this website.

More information

If you would like more information about these elections, please contact Electoral Services