RESIDENTS who are yet to register to vote in the May 2016 local and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections are being urged to do so with the deadline looming this time next week.
To vote in this year’s elections residents must register before Monday, April 18 and anyone registering overseas will need to allow extra time for checks to be completed by the Electoral Services Office.
A further registration period will be open until June 7 for people to register to vote in the EU referendum but registering before Monday means residents can vote in both. Anyone that has not applied on or before this date will be unable to vote in the elections on May 5.
Poll cards went out to most registered residents last week and those recently registered will receive theirs in the next few days.
Darren Whitney, electoral services manager, said: “Registration is not automatic and is not linked to any other government department such as council tax or benefits.
“This means that even if you are paying council tax or receiving benefits you will need to register.
“It is really simple to do and literally takes five minutes to complete. All you need is your National Insurance Number.”
Residents are also urged to remind friends or family living overseas to register too as they can use the same website and system as UK residents.
Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or hard copy versions are available from the Electoral Services Team.
Residents who are unsure if they are registered can find out by emailing [email protected] or calling the Electoral Services Team on 01527 881 421.
