Who can vote?
Anyone who lives at an address in Sovereign Harbour and whose name is shown as a “local elector” on the electoral register will be able to vote. A “local elector” is someone who is eligible to vote in local government elections. You will normally be eligible to vote if you are 18 or over and either a UK, European Union or Commonwealth citizen. The current register includes all persons registered up to 4 August 2008. We will however accept new registration forms received after this date and add them to the referendum register.
Register to vote
Each year we are required to send to every household an electoral registration form. If you live in Sovereign Harbour we would strongly advise you to complete the form without delay so that any changes and additions to the register can be entered in time for the referendum ballot.
You can contact Electoral Services at The Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UG
Tel: 01323 415074 or e-mail elections@eastbourne.gov.uk
The ballot question
The ballot paper will say that Eastbourne Borough Council has been asked to set up a parish council for Sovereign Harbour and that the Council wishes to know if Harbour residents want a parish council of their own. It will then put the following question:
Do you support the proposal to set up a Sovereign Harbour Parish Council?
Voters will be asked to put a X in either a Yes box or a No box.
How is the ballot being conducted?
Electoral Reform Services, an independent and highly respected polling organisation, have been engaged to carry out the ballot on the Council’s behalf and act as the independent scrutineer. As well as issuing the ballot papers they will also count the returned ballots.
The ballot is being conducted on an all-postal basis. This should help ensure that everyone entitled to vote has every opportunity to do so.
When will residents receive their ballot papers?
Ballot papers should arrive in the post on or about Friday 10 October (having been posted out on 6 October).
What to do if you don’t receive a ballot paper or need a replacement?
If you don't receive a ballot paper please contact Electoral Services - contact details given above under the heading "Register to vote". It may be that you are not listed on the electoral roll. If you are eligible and there is still time we will try to get you registered and ask Electoral Reform Services to send you a ballot paper. Otherwise you can send in a comment using the Contact form below. Please give your full address otherwise we will not be able to take your views in account.
If you spoil or lose your ballot you will be able to apply for a replacement. Call the Electoral Reform Services helpline number on 020 8889 9203.
When must ballot papers be returned by?
The ballot is due to close at 12 Noon on Friday 31 October. Because this is a postal ballot this means that ballot papers must be posted in good time to reach Electoral Reform Services (the independent scrutineer) by this deadline.
When will the result be known?
It is expected that the independent scrutineer will announce the result on Monday 3 November.
