Dorset goes to the polls on Thursday 2 May 2019 to choose the first representatives of the brand new Dorset Council. Elections to the town and parish councils in the Dorset area are also taking place on the same day.
As preparations mount, we want to make sure you have all the information and support you need to cast your vote.
Who can I vote for in the Dorset Council elections?
Not sure who’s standing in your area? Information about Dorset Council candidates is live on whocanivotefor.co.uk
Type in your postcode to find out who your Dorset Council candidates are.
Details of candidates standing in the town and parish elections are also available online.
What ward am I in?
Dorset Council is a brand new council with brand new ward boundaries.
Your ward details are on your poll card but you can find them online too.
Enter your postcode to check your ward details.
Where’s my polling station?
The locations of polling stations have also changed in some areas.
Dorset’s polling station locations are now live on wheredoivote.co.uk
Anyone can search for their polling station by typing in their postcode.
How do I vote?
The Electoral Commission have produced a video to show people how to vote in the 2019 local elections in England.
If you need any assistance when trying to cast your vote, just speak to the polling station staff who will be happy to help you.
To be able to vote in any election you must be on the electoral register. It’s easy to register to vote. All you need is 5 minutes and your National Insurance number.
Please note, if you haven’t registered by now you won’t be able to vote in the elections on 2 May. But if you register to vote by Tuesday 7 May you will be able to take part in the European parliamentary elections.
How can I find out the local election results?
The election count for Dorset Council will take place on Friday 3 May 2019. The count for the town and parish councils will take place on Saturday 4 May.
Results will be published on our Twitter feed and on www.DorsetCouncil.gov.uk in real time as they are announced. We will also send a results summary to subscribers of our e-newsletter.
European Parliamentary Elections – Thursday 23 May
Further elections are planned to take place in Dorset on 23 May 2019. These elections are for the European Parliament and for 14 parish areas in Dorset.
Brexit is causing some uncertainty about whether the European Parliament elections will in fact be held, but we have to work on the premise that they are going ahead.
We received instruction from the Regional Returning Officer to publish the Notice of Election on Friday 12 April and are making preparations to ensure Dorset residents can cast their vote on 23 May, should the UK not have an agreement to leave the European Union by then.
You have until midnight on Tuesday 7 May to register to vote in the elections on 23 May.
To stay up to date with Dorset Council news please subscribe to our e-newsletter and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
We are all encouraged to exercise our democratic right – to vote, and yet how are we expected to determine who to vote for? My wife and I have recently returned from Australia, in local elections there, election candidates were given the opportunity to post information related to who they were, what they stood for and what they were seeking to achieve. They also provided contact details so that potential voters could ask them questions. Why doesn’t Dorset Council offer candidates a similar facility, it would be up to them if they used it and therefore what message that might give to voters. At the moment we have not received any information for any candidates, so we will not vote.
Hi David,
Thanks for your comments. In the UK it is the responsibility of each individual candidate to provide information and/or documentation to the electorate.
The council does not have or publicise this information and the Returning Officer has to ensure complete neutrality.
If you haven’t received any information directly but want to know more about who is standing in your area, you could try visiting the candidate websites, party websites, or write to the party.
Thanks
Imogen
This might be improved for next time by adding when the polls close