Election 2024 – 2nd May

On the 2nd May local elections will be held for all seats on Dorset Council and all seats on all of Dorset’s Town and Parish Councils.

Whether Parish Council elections will be “contested” or “uncontested” will depend on the number of nominated candidates. An uncontested election is an election in which the number of candidates is the same as or fewer than the number of places available for election, so that there would be no vote involved as all candidates are guaranteed to be elected.

Sturminster Marshall Parish Council

If you are interested in becoming a Parish Council member you might find the following videos helpful:

Parish and Town Councils in Dorset on Vimeo

You can also contact the Parish Clerk on sturminstermarshall@dorset-aptc.gov.uk for more information.

Election Timetable for Nominees
Nomination Packs are available now and can be downloaded from this link
11 March Publication of Notice of Election
12 March – 5 April Nomination papers to be delivered to Dorset Council
5 April Deadline for withdrawal of Nomination papers
8 April Publication of list of nominees
2 May Election Day
4 May Votes counted

Election Timetable for Voters
16 April Deadline for registering as a voter
17 April Deadline for applications for postal votes
24 April Deadline for applications for proxy votes
2 May Election Day

Please note the following

Voter ID – voters in England are now required to show photo ID to vote at polling stations. There is currently a list of acceptable forms of photo ID which includes passports (these may have expired but can be used as an acceptable form of ID provided the photograph is a true likeness of the voter), driving licence, a Blue Badge and an older person’s bus pass ….and many more.

Anyone who doesn’t have photo ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate that will be provided free of charge. Applications can be made online, use this link, (Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) or by completing a paper application with a photograph attached. We will be able to take photographs for applicants that don’t have the facility to do so, but any resident who wishes to use this service should make an appointment to see the Team.

If you are aware of any residents that do not have appropriate ID, please do encourage them to apply in plenty of time for a Voter Authority Certificate using the link to the online portal above, or, alternatively ask them to contact the Elections Team on 01305 838299 or elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk when a member of the Team can assist them with the options available