Make your voice heard in local council elections

Somerset County Council is asking residents to “use the fourth” and to make sure they cast their vote in the local elections on Thursday 4th May.

With just one week to go until people vote for who they want to represent their community on the county council, the authority is reminding everyone of the date with Star Wars-themed social media posts.

Frome will elect three members to the council: one for each of the wards of Frome East, Frome North, and Frome West.

There is also a by-election for the Frome College Ward on Mendip District Council on the same day.

Click here to find out who is standing and what their priorities are.

Somerset County Council delivers important services across the county such as looking after roads, caring for the elderly, caring for vulnerable children and adults, supporting schools and maintaining streetlights.

“A spokesperson for the district and county councils said, “If you are eligible to vote but not registered, you still have time.

“These elections only come around once every four years and we urge everyone to take the chance to get involved.”

Polling will take place between 7am and 10pm on May 4th at 446 polling stations across the county. They include the oldest polling station in the South West at Muchelney, the skittle alley at the Flying Horse in Taunton Deane and a private house in Bury, West Somerset. Full lists of polling stations can be found on the Mendip District Council websites.

District councils run the elections process on behalf of the County Council, including administering the voter registration.

Results will be updated after 10pm on May 4th and full results should be available by sometime after 3am. Results will be uploaded to the county council’s website: http://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/mgElectionResults.aspx? ID=1&RPID=39458

The timetable and arrangements for the county council elections are currently unaffected by the General Election that will take place on 8th June.

Anyone eligible to vote but not already on the electoral register can go online by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by contacting your local district council.

Any questions about registering to vote should be made to the Elections Officer at your local district council.