Residents went to the polls on Thursday, July 30, to fill the vacant seat, with voting taking place at Picket Piece Village Hall and Picket Twenty Community Centre. Independent candidate Thomas James was elected with 294 votes. Liberal Democrat candidate Josie Msonthi received 126 votes. He said: "To every single person in Picket Piece, Picket Twenty, and Andover Downs who turned out, and placed your trust in an Independent resident... thank you. "To my fellow candidate, Josie Msonthi: thank you for a fair, respectful contest.