By-election to be held for Tavistock North Ward in West Devon

A by-election for the West Devon Borough Council ward of Tavistock North is to be held next month after a Councillor has stepped down from the role.

Due to personal circumstances, Terry Wheeler has resigned from his position as one of the three new Borough Councillors for the Tavistock North Ward. A by-election to decide Mr Wheeler's replacement will be held on 22 June 2023. Mr Wheeler was one of the three successful candidates in Tavistock North in the local elections held on 4 May.

Steve Mullineaux, Returning Officer for West Devon Borough Council, said: "All affected voters living in the Tavistock North Ward will receive new poll cards through the post if the election is contested. The cards will have information on polling stations and how to arrange a postal or proxy vote for those who cannot make it to their polling station on 22 June.

"I'd like to remind all voters that the voter ID rules will still apply in this by-election, so remember to bring along your photo ID with you to your polling station."

Candidate nominations are now open until 4 p.m. on Thursday 25 May. Nomination papers must be hand-delivered to the Returning Officer at Kilworthy Park's reception area between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Due to the reception only being open on Tuesdays, please make an appointment to submit nomination papers by emailing elections@westdevon.gov.uk or calling 01822 813665 or 01822 813525.

Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, PL19 0BZ by midnight on Tuesday 6 June, and can be completed online at www.gov.uk/registertovote or by completing a form available from the Council offices.

Applications for postal votes, or changes to existing proxy voting arrangements, must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Kilworthy Park by 5 p.m. on Wednesday 7 June.

As with the elections on 4 May, those voting in person must remember to bring a form of photo ID with them. Voters without a valid form of ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate online at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

To find out everything about the by-election and the recent elections held on 4 May, visit www.westdevon.gov.uk/elections