Polling officials hope record numbers of postal votes and fine weather will boost the turnout for today's local and European elections.
Check - Joyce Lambert and Molly Moss collect ballot card numbers outside the polling station in Marguerite Drive, Leigh, this morning Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
Southend Council has sent out 12,000 postal vote forms in recent weeks, compared to 4,000 for last May's council elections.
Rochford Council has sent 4,000, compared to 250 last year.
These are record figures and polling chiefs hope this will vastly increase voter numbers for "Super Thursday" compared to last year's dismal turnout.
Head of democratic services at Southend Council, Andy Wallace, said: "Fine weather usually has a positive affect. It's easier to get to a polling station in the sunshine than the pouring rain.
"Last year's council election had the lowest turnout I can remember in 30 years of working on elections in Southend.
"Hopefully the extra postal votes and sunshine will make a difference this year."
A spokesman for Rochford Council was uncertain whether traditional voter apathy towards the European election, which is also being held today, would put people off voting in the council ballot.
However, he said: "We have already processed 3,000 postal votes and that could make a difference."
Published Thursday June 10, 2004
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