Investigation into missing postal votes

An investigation has been launched by the city council after it was revealed a number of postal voters have still not yet received their ballots ahead of tomorrow’s local elections.

Worcester City Council has apologised to city voters who had requested a postal vote and have not yet received the official papers and have urged anyone who has not received their ballot to contact the council immediately.

The city council said it is currently investigating to see why the postal votes had not been sent out and how many people it is has affected.

Shane Flynn, returning officer for Worcester, said: “I would like to apologise to any residents who have requested a postal vote and have not received their ballot papers.

“If you are in that situation, please contact us as quickly as possible at electoralservices@worcester.gov.uk or on 01905 722022.

“Our priority is to make sure residents don’t miss out on their democratic right, so we want to hear from you as soon as possible and make arrangements to get your voting papers to you.

“We will work to establish the cause of this issue and how widespread it is, but our immediate priority is to make sure that people can vote in Thursday’s election.”

The council said it was made aware of the issue with postal votes after several candidates came forward saying that residents in their areas had not received ballot papers.

The majority of voters in the city go to the polls on Thursday (May 6) in three separate elections with contests being held in a third of wards to elect representatives to Worcester City Council with all of the places on Worcestershire County Council up for grabs as well as the vote for West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

Twelve of the city’s 15 wards will be going to the polls on Thursday including voters in Arboretum; Battenhall; Bedwardine; Cathedral; Claines; Gorse Hill; Nunnery; Rainbow Hill; St Clement; St John; St Stephen; and Warndon.

The city council and police and crime commissioner elections were due to take place last year but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The city council’s elections team can be contacted at electoralservices@worcester.gov.uk or by calling 01905 722022.