One week to go on Stromness and South Isles vote

There's just over one week to go until voters in Stromness and the South Isles head to the polls in a by-election.  

The seat is vacant following the retirement of James Stockan and two candidates have put themselves forward for election. 

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday 28 March, with the names on the ballot paper being Janette Park and Magnus Thomson. 

Postal voting packs should be hitting the door mats this week – and postal voters are being urged to be mindful of the tight turnaround for votes to be returned, with just a week between receipt of the packs and the close of poll.  

Proxy votes (where you nominate someone to vote on your behalf) can be applied for up to 5:00pm tomorrow – Wednesday 20 March - with emergency proxy votes issued up until 5.00pm on Thursday 28 March, under specific circumstances.  

As it is a local Council election, voters will number the candidates in order of preference - or just place a 1 next to the only candidate they wish to vote for.  

Polls will open at 7:00am and close at 10:00pm – with the counting of votes taking place immediately after the close of poll and a result expected in the early hours of the Friday morning 

Those intending to vote in person for Stromness and Graemsay will cast their vote at polling station in the Stromness Warehouse Buildings and those from the South Isles at the One Stop Shop in Kirkwall, as detailed on your polling card.  If you have lost your polling card, do not worry, you do not need your polling card to place your vote - but it does provide assistance if you take your polling card along with you.

Orkney Islands Council’s Chief Executive, Oliver Reid, is Returning Officer for the election.  

He said: “My team have been hard at work behind the scenes and the countdown is now on to next week’s by-election. Our key message this week is to keep an eye out for your pack arriving if you’re a postal vote and get it completed and returned to as soon as you can.  Time is tight and I’d hate for anyone to miss out on taking part in the democratic process by simply running out of time to return the vote.  

“Instructions for completing your postal vote will be in your pack.  Read them carefully and take care when completing the paperwork – not only on your vote itself – but on the accompanying signature and date.  We often find that people make mistakes, for example putting the date you completed your paperwork rather than your date of birth – and that unfortunately invalidates your vote.  

“For those intending to vote in person I urge you to get out and cast your vote – it's hugely important that our communities have a say in who represents them in the Council chamber.” 

For further information on applying for a proxy vote, contact the Electoral Registration Office, 8 Broad Street, Kirkwall. Tel: 01856 876222, email ero@orkney.gov.uk