FOLLOWING the announcement that there will be a general election on 4th July, the town is gearing up to go to the polls.
Melksham will be in the newly formed Melksham and Devizes constituency following a constituency boundary review last year.
The candidates confirmed as standing for election in the seat are Malcolm Cupis (Reform UK), Michelle Donelan (Conservative), Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrats), Kerry Postlewhite (Labour) and Catherine Read (Green).
Michelle Donelan won the last election in 2019 with 50.4% of the vote when Melksham was part of the Chippenham constituency. She has been an MP for the area since 2015.
Melksham News asked residents about the issues that were most important to them. The most frequently mentioned concerns were the cost-of-living crisis, the NHS and health care, education and immigration.
This is the first general election that will require people to have photo ID to vote at polling stations. Accepted forms of photo ID include passports, photographic driving licences, biometric immigration documents, and certain concessionary travel passes. A comprehensive list can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 18th June. Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote for more information on how to vote. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 19th June. Visit www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote to apply.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 4th July.
