Postal packs to arrive for Police and Crime Commissioner elections

The election, which is due to take place on Thursday, May 2, will determine who will oversee the local police force.

The Police and Crime Commissioner also ensures they are prioritising what matters to the region's residents.

Commissioners are responsible for setting the strategic direction and budgets of police forces.

The Avon and Somerset Police Area includes Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

Avon and Somerset’s current commissioner is Mark Shelford (Conservative), who was elected to the role in May 2021.

The deadline for receipt of postal votes is 10pm on Thursday, May 2.

If you choose not to post your postal vote through the Royal Mail system, you can also hand it in to the Local Returning Officer at the Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ, during normal office hours (Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm).

Upon doing this, you will need to complete a short form.

Otherwise, you can hand in your postal vote on election day at any polling station in North Somerset, between 7am and 10pm.

By law, you can only hand in your own postal vote, and the postal vote of up to five other electors.

Will Godfrey, Police Area Returning Officer for the Avon and Somerset Police Area, said: "If you are intending to hand in your postal vote either at the Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare or at a polling station, please be aware that you will need to complete a short form. 

"This is a new legal requirement and if you do not fill it in, your vote will be rejected.”  

Those who do not have an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline at 5pm on Wednesday, April 24 April.

PCCs are elected using the first-past-the-post system, meaning people get one vote, and the candidate with the most votes wins.