Notice of Election issued for Police and Crime Commissioner in Cumbria

8 October 2012

Notice of Election has now been published for the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Election on 15 November 2012 with elections taking place across Cumbria.

The election will see, for the first time, people voting to elect a PCC in Cumbria. The PCC’s role is to act as the public’s voice on how policing is undertaken in Cumbria. They will also be responsible for setting the force’s budget and deciding what its priorities and strategy should be.

Not only is the role of the PCC new, the voting system will be different too. The PCC elections will use ‘the supplementary vote system’. Voters will be asked to select their first and second preferences using two columns on the ballot paper. If no candidate gains over 50% of the first preference votes, the two top candidates from the first preference votes go forward to a second round when the second preference votes are counted.

Those wishing to stand for election for the PCC role can obtain nomination papers from the Police Area Returning Officer at South Lakeland House, Lowther Street Kendal, LA9 4UQ, and should deliver their completed nomination papers, along with the required deposit of £5,000, to the Police Area Returning Officer at the same address, between 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday until the deadline of noon on Friday 19 October 2012.

A poll will take place on Thursday the 15 November 2012, if the election is contested.

Members of the public have to be registered to vote to take part in the election. A new register will soon be published but anyone having moved since they responded to the canvass form, or wish to check if they are registered, should contact the Electoral Services section of their local authority.

Those eligible to vote will receive a poll card later this month (October) at the address where they are registered to vote.  This will provide information as to where and how they can vote.

If anyone needs to re-register to vote or would like a postal vote, or wish to change an existing postal or proxy vote they must apply to their Electoral Registration Officer at their local authority area by 5pm on Wednesday 31 October 2012.

Applications for new proxy votes must be received by 5pm on 7 November 2012. Applications for proxy votes because of a medical emergency can be accepted after 7 November until 5pm on polling day, Thursday 15 November 2012.

All application forms can be obtained from the Electoral Registration Officer at the relevant local authority.  Completed forms must be submitted to the same Electoral Registration Officer in the local authority area where they are registered to vote. The addresses of Councils within the Cumbria Police Area are below:

Allerdale Borough Council - Electoral Registration Officer, Allerdale House, Workington CA14 3YJ

Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council - Electoral Registration Officer, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 2LD

Carlisle City Council - Electoral Registration Officer, Civic Centre, Carlisle CA3 8QG

Copeland Borough Council - Electoral Registration Officer, The Copeland Centre, Catherine Street, Whitehaven CA28 7SJ

Eden District Council – Electoral Registration Officer, Town Hall, Penrith CA11 7QF

South Lakeland District Council – Electoral Registration Officer, South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal LA9 4UQ