MORAY IS GEARING up for the next round of polling – decision day on the UK’s future membership of the European Union, with the referendum being held on June 23.

The counting officer for Moray, Mark Palmer, has said that the first issue of postal votes will be dropping through letter boxes from today, the first 80 sent to those currently living overseas who registered before the May 19 deadline.

The bulk of postal votes – accounting for 14,043 electors – will be sent to UK addresses around June 2 for those who registered before the May 23 deadline. For those who applied after that date, postal votes will be sent out around the middle of June.

Mr Palmer is urging those who receive postal votes to read and follow the enclosed instructions carefully before returning their 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.

“Don’t rush completing your vote. Ensure that you put your date of birth and not the date you sign the statement. Also ensure that if more than one voter in the household has a postal vote you don’t mix them up and sign someone else’s.

“Follow the instructions in the pack to make sure your vote counts.”

Anyone who is planning on being away from home during the referendum and who cannot get to a polling station can still apply for a postal vote – but their application must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, June 8.

There is also 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 away. The deadline for applying 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.