A Local Government By-election will be held on Thursday 12 September 2024 to fill a vacancy that has arisen following the resignation of Councillor Billings, representing the Arran Ward of North Ayrshire Council.
The Returning Officer for this By-election is Craig Hatton (the Council’s Chief Executive) who has a small team to deal with the administration and organisation of the poll including the staffing of polling stations. This team also deals with the organisation of the verification and counting of votes at the count.
Becoming a Councillor
The Electoral Commission has produced guidance to assist Candidates (potential councillors) and Agents (their representatives).
This guidance covers:
Supporting resources such as nomination forms, forms for the appointment of agents etc. are also available from the Electoral Commission's website. However, a North Ayrshire specific nomination pack together with information for Candidates and Agents will be available to download below.
Being a councillor involves a huge variety of work, some of which can be challenging, but hugely rewarding as you can make a real difference to our people, our communities and the area you represent. If you are considering standing for election, the Improvement Service has created helpful information to understand the many different aspects of a councillor's role.
The Election Team can accept nomination papers between 10am and 4pm from Friday 2 August 2024 to Monday 12 August 2024 at the Election Office, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE or at the Council Offices, Lamlash, Isle of Arran KA27 8JY.The Arran Office is closed for lunch from 12.30pm to 1.15pm each day. If you require specific access arrangements to attend, please contact the Election Office on 01294 324729.
To ensure an appropriate member of staff is on hand to receive nominations, it would be helpful if Candidates or Election Agents could contact the Election Office on 01294 324729 or email elections@north-ayrshire.gov.uk to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for checking and lodging the nomination papers.
Completed nomination papers must be lodged by 4pm on Monday 12 August 2024 at the Election Office, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE or at the Council Offices, Lamlash, Isle of Arran KA27 8JY.
Key Dates
The key dates for the By-election, particularly the closing dates for registration, postal and proxy applications are detailed below:
Key Arran By-election dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Publication of notice of Election |
Thursday 1 August 2024 |
| Delivery of nomination papers |
Friday 2 August 2024 to Monday 12 August 2024 between 10am and 4pm |
| Deadline for withdrawals of nomination |
Monday 12 August 2024 at 4pm |
| Deadline for notification of appointment of election agents |
Monday 12 August 2024 at 4pm |
| Publication of notice of poll, including situation of polling stations |
As soon as practicable after Monday 12 August 2024 at 4pm |
| Dispatch of poll cards to electors |
Tuesday 13 August 2024 |
| Deadline for receiving applications for registration |
Tuesday 27 August 2024 |
| Second dispatch of Poll Cards |
As soon as practicable after last date to apply to register to vote |
| Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy vote |
Wednesday 28 August 2024 at 5pm |
| Dispatch of postal ballot packs |
Friday 30 August 2024 (as soon as practicable after last date to apply for a postal vote) |
| Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) |
Wednesday 4 September 2024 at 5pm |
| Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents |
Thursday 5 September 2024 |
| Polling Day |
Thursday 12 September 2024 from 7am to 10pm |
| Last time that electors can apply for a replacement for a lost and spoilt postal vote |
Thursday 12 September 2024 at 10pm |
| Deadline for emergency proxy applications |
Thursday 12 September 2024 at 5pm |
| Last time to alter the register due to clerical error or court appeal |
Thursday 12 September 2024 at 9pm |
| Verification and count |
Friday 13 September 2024 |
| Latest date for candidates to submit their return and agent declaration |
Friday 18 October 2024 |
Formal notices
The formal By-election notices will be displayed here throughout the election process.
Poll Cards
The first issue of Poll Cards will be on Tuesday 13 August 2024. Subsequent issue dates to be confirmed.
Electors are encouraged to check their poll card carefully. There may have been a change to your Polling Station since the last elections.
Applications to Register to Vote
If you live in Ward 4 - Arran and want to vote in this By-election, you need to be registered to vote.
The last day you can register to vote in this By-election is Tuesday 27 August 2024. You can register to vote online or if you would prefer to register by post then you should contact the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire), as detailed below, and a paper form will be posted out to you.
If aged 16 or over by Thursday 12 September 2024 you will be able to vote in this By-election but you must be registered.
Applications to vote by Post or Proxy
If you are unable to go to your polling place in person you may wish to apply for a postal or proxy vote. Application forms for a postal or proxy vote can be obtained by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire), more information on applying is available. Only electors who are (or will be) registered individually are entitled to apply to vote by post or proxy. Further information on apply for a postal vote is available from the Electoral Commission.
Contact details for the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire) are detailed below:
Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire)
9 Wellington Square
Ayr
KA7 1HL
Telephone: (01292) 612221
Email: ero@ayrshire-vjb.gov.uk
Electoral Registration Officer website
The deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications in this By-election is Wednesday 28 August 2024 at 5pm.
The deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is Wednesday 4 September 2024 at 5pm.
All postal vote and proxy application forms must be returned to the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire) at the address above and not to North Ayrshire Council.
The first issue of ballot papers to Postal Voters will take place on Friday 30 August 2024. New Postal Votes received by 5pm on Wednesday 28 August 2024 will be sent shortly after this date.
The electronic count (eCount)
The electronic verification and counting of votes will take place in Arran High School, Lamlash, Isle of Arran KA27 8NG on Friday 13 September 2024 commencing at 9.30am prompt.
Admission to the eCount will be strictly by accredited admission pass only.
Results
Results from the By-election will be published on the Council’s website following the eCount on Friday 13 September 2024. The previous election results are available for you to view.
Support
For more information on registering to vote, postal and proxy voting, please contact the Electoral Registration Office on 01292 612221 or by email to ero@ayrshire-vjb.gov.uk.
For all other areas, including becoming a candidate, please contact our Council’s Election Office on 01294 324729 or by email to elections@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.