4th May Cotswold District Council Elections
Have your voice heard, postal votes
and voter suppression
Have your voice heard locally
The Cotswold District Council local elections, scheduled for the 4th of May, represent a chance for residents of the Cotswold District to exercise their democratic rights and have a say in the future of their community. Local elections are a crucial aspect of any democracy, offering individuals the opportunity to participate in the democratic process and vote.
There are several reasons why voting in local elections is essential. First and foremost, local elections provide citizens with a voice in decisions that impact their daily lives. Local councils are responsible for a range of crucial services, including waste collection, housing, local climate change action and planning, where the Liberal Demoncrat led CDC has a great track record, since taking over from the Conservatives in 2019.
By voting in local elections, residents can help ensure these services meet their needs and reflect their priorities.
Furthermore, local elections provide an opportunity to hold elected officials accountable for their actions, or lack of action!
By participating in the democratic process, voters can express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the current administration and with their district councillor representative, and make their opinions known. This feedback is essential in ensuring elected officials remain responsive to the needs of their constituents and work in their best interests.
Voting in local elections is also an important expression of civic engagement. Participating in the democratic process is a fundamental responsibility of citizenship, and by voting, residents can demonstrate their commitment to the democratic ideals that underpin our society. Voting also sends a message to others that democracy is important and that every vote counts.
It is vital to remember that every vote matters in local elections. Local races are often decided by slim margins, and every vote can make a difference. By casting a ballot, residents can play an active role in shaping the future of their community and ensuring their voices are heard.
In conclusion, the Cotswold District Council local elections on the 4th of May represent a vital opportunity for residents to participate in the democratic process, hold elected officials accountable, and shape the future of their community. By voting, residents can help ensure that their needs and priorities are reflected in the decisions that impact their daily lives. Every vote counts, so it is essential for all eligible voters to participate in the upcoming local elections and make their voices heard.
Have your voice heard nationally
Your vote in a local election can be a powerful tool to send a message to the national government. If you are fed up with the lies and mismanagement from Boris Johnson, the economic incompetence of Liz Truss, and the poor state of the economy under the current Conservative leadership, casting your vote in your local election can be a way to make your voice heard.
Furthermore, I am standing in the Kemble Ward against the leader of the Cotswold Conservatives, a victory would not only be a local success, but it would also create national news and send a clear message to Conservative HQ. By defeating the leader of the local Conservative party, it would demonstrate that the people in our community are ready for change and no longer tolerate the status quo.
This would inspire others to take a stand and demand better leadership from their local and national representatives.
Postal Voting
You can register to vote by post. Applications must arrive with CDC by the 18th of April. Register to vote – Cotswold District Council
Registering for a postal vote is a good idea for several reasons:
1. Convenience: A postal vote allows you to vote from the comfort of your own home, without having to travel to a polling station. This is particularly useful for those who may have mobility issues or other commitments on election day.
2. Accessibility: Postal voting makes voting more accessible to those who may not be able to attend a polling station in person,
3. Vote from more than one address. For example, if you have a child at university or own a second home. You can register to vote and use a postal vote to vote in both addresses at the same time, as long as it’s for a different “assembly”. For example, you can vote in CDC and another local election at the same time, but not a General Election.
4. Increased participation: Postal voting has been shown to increase voter participation, as it allows people who may not have been able to vote otherwise to do so.
5. No Photo ID: You do not need a photo ID to vote by post.
Voter Photo ID
From May 2023 individuals who wish to vote in person, including those acting as a proxy on behalf of another individual, will be required to produce an accepted form of photographic ID to prove their identity before they will be issued with a ballot paper.
This is a national change implemented by the Government as part of the Elections Act 2022 which councils are required to follow when running elections.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo and the name on the ID should be the same name as appears on the Electoral Register.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form which is available from the Council.
More information here: Cotswold District residents will need photo ID to vote at local elections on 4 May
Voter Suppression
The decision to require photo ID has been a controversial one, and many have argued that it is a blatant case of voter suppression. This argument has been particularly strong in light of the fact that there is little to no evidence of voter fraud in the UK. According to a report by the Electoral Commission, there were only 28 allegations of in-person voter fraud in the 2019 general election, out of a total of 47 million votes cast.
Despite this lack of evidence, the Conservative Party has been pushing for photo ID requirements for some time. The type of photo ID that is allowed – a passport, driving licence, or a local authority pass – is clearly designed to suppress the specific types of voters that are less likely to vote Conservative. This includes elderly low-income and student voters, as well as members of ethnic minorities, who are less likely to have access to the required forms of ID.
The Conservative Party’s decision to require photo ID is particularly troubling when you consider that voter turnout in the UK is already low. According to the Electoral Commission, turnout in local elections in 2019 was just 36.5%. By requiring voters to bring photo ID, the Conservative Party is creating yet another barrier to voting, and making it even more difficult for people to have their say in the democratic process.
Wasting Money During an Economic Crisis
Requiring voter photo ID in the UK may increase voting costs by up to £20 million per election, according to some estimates (Read more).
This is because of the administrative costs of issuing photo IDs to voters who do not have them, as well as enforcing the policy at polling stations (read more).