The candidates battling to win today’s Highbridge and Burnham Marine by-election fear this week’s wintry weather will hurt turnout.
Polling stations in the district council election will open at 7am and close at 10pm – but the candidates are worried that many voters will be put off venturing out into the icy weather.
Helen Groves, who is one of the five candidates, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Winter elections often see low turnouts but I think this week’s icy weather has not helped and it could be lower than usual. I would urge voters to get to the polling stations if it is safe for them to do so.”
Conservative candidate Bill Hancock added: “There has been interest in the election from residents but I am sure the weather will hurt the turnout. I hope voters do try and make it to the polls if at all possible.”
The full list of candidates running for the seat on Sedgemoor District Council are Ricky Holcombe (Labour), Purple Watkins (Independent), Sally Williams (Independent), Helen Groves (Lib Dem) and Bill Hancock (Conservative).
The election is being held after Liberal Democrat Joe Leach stood down last year, as reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com here.
Previous election results in the Highbridge and Burnham Ward:
.RESULTS IN 2007 .RESULTS IN 2011
Joe Leach Lib 714 Elected
John Laband Lib 590 Elected
Danny Titcombe Lib 611 Elected
Roger Keen Con 418
Janet Keen Con 412
Joyce Curtis Lab 393
Patrick Simpson Con 350
Linda Davis Lab 323
Sheila Forrester Lab 297
Joe Leach Lib 705 Elected
Mike Mansfield Ind 705 Elected
Chris Williams Ind 543 Elected
Helen Groves Lib 528
Janet Keen Con 516
Alan Miller Lib 511
Roger Keen Con 473
John Woodman Con 471
Linda Davis Lab 451
Ricky Hopkins Lab 379
Andy Merryfield Lab 351
