Ballot papers begin arriving for referendum postal voters.

Ballot papers for postal voters in Moray will be arriving on doormats over the next few days ahead of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union on Thursday, June 23.

The first issue of 13,951 postal votes are being dispatched today to existing postal voters and postal voters who successfully applied before and up to May 23. This follows an earlier dispatch of postal votes to overseas voters last week.

A further issue of an estimated 800 postal votes is expected on June 14 for all those voters who applied to vote by post between May 23 and by the deadline of June 8. Around one in five voters in Moray now choose to use a postal vote as their method of voting.

Counting officer for Moray, Mark Palmer, is advising postal voters to make sure they read and follow the instructions carefully before completing and returning their ballot paper.

“Don’t forget to include your date of birth and signature on the postal voting statement. This is legally required and is checked and without this accompanying statement your ballot paper can’t be counted,” he said.

“This statement is kept separate from your ballot paper when the postal votes are processed so your vote is always secret. Follow the instructions in the pack to make sure your vote counts.”

Mr Palmer also advised voters to ensure they return their ballot papers promptly, making sure that when they seal their return envelope the counting officer’s return address can be seen through the window of Envelope B. A pictorial guide on how to fill in your postal vote can be found at www.moray.gov.uk/referendum

Postal ballot papers must be received by the counting officer by 10pm on June 23 at the latest, so once completed the ballot paper and postal vote statement should be placed in the envelope and returned to make sure that it is received in good time.

There is still time to register for a proxy vote which enables you to appoint someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf if you are going to be away on referendum day. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday, June 15.

Electors should contact the Elgin electoral registration office on 01343 541203 or visit www.votemoray.org for more information.