THE number of people making postal votes across East Hampshire has almost doubled in almost five years.
More and more voters are choosing to vote by post and as local authorities begin to prepare for May elections, they are urging people to use their vote – whether it’s at the traditional polling booth or by post.
From the district and parish elections in East Hampshire in 2007 to the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in November last year, the number of people making use of postal voting went from 6,939 to 12,837.
Sandy Hopkins, the district’s chief executive and returning officer, said government changes to rules around postal voting have made it much more accessible.
She said: ‘We are very lucky to live in a nation with a proud history of democracy.
‘It is a privilege we must take good care of and I always welcome any change that engages people with the electoral process.
‘It is a great shame when people don’t vote.
‘So I am really encouraged by the increasing popularity of postal voting.
‘I hope that more people will find this a valuable way of taking part in the county council elections which are coming in May.’
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