FOLLOWING the resignation of former councillor Alex Collis, a by-election to fill the vacancy has been set for Tuesday 4 July.

Residents should note that this by-election takes place on a Tuesday, not a Thursday as is typical for most other elections.

Residents in the King’s Hedges ward of the city are being reminded to ensure that they are registered to vote ahead of the poll. Anyone who is not registered must do so by 23:59 on Friday 16 June by either going online to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or calling 01223 457048 for a paper application form.

Poll cards will be issued to electors in the King’s Hedges ward shortly which will indicate which polling station they should vote at.

Voters in the northern GAB and GBG polling districts, who may previously have voted at Arbury Court Library, will vote at the new Meadows Community Centre, 299 Arbury Road CB4 2JL. Voters in the southern GCG polling district will vote at Arbury Court Library CB4 2JQ temporarily for this by-election, as Arbury Community Centre is unavailable.

If you are registered but will be away on Tuesday 4 July, you can apply for a postal or proxy vote by downloading a form from www.electoralcommission.org.uk

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Monday 19 June and the deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Monday 26 June.

As for this year’s local elections in early May, people voting in person at polling stations for the by-election will need to show photo ID, following the introduction of new legislation by the government.

Voters can take a variety of different photo ID in order to vote, including passport, driver’s licence, blue badge, older or disabled person’s bus pass, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) card and many more. For the complete list of acceptable forms of ID visit www.cambridge.gov.uk/voter-id-in-polling-stations  

Anyone without an otherwise acceptable form of ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate either online at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by post by 5pm on 26 June. This is a free photo ID document issued for the specific purpose of voting at a polling station.

Robert Pollock, Returning Officer for the by-election said: “I would encourage King’s Hedges residents to vote, and to register to vote, even if they are not yet sure they want to vote. Don’t forget to bring photo ID to the polling station on Tuesday 4 July, and please check your polling card to find out which polling station you should attend.”

For more information or to check if you are registered go to www.cambridge.gov.uk/elections, e-mail elections@cambridge.gov.uk or call 01223 457048.