UK Parliamentary and local elections will take place across the country on Thursday 7 May.  Make sure you’re registered to vote so that you can have your say on who represents you and the issues that affect you and your family.

Register online

The way we register to vote changed last year. Now every individual is responsible for registering themselves.

It’s quick and easy to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. It only takes a few minutes. You will need your National Insurance number, which you can find on your payslip or any document from the Department for Work and Pensions or HM Revenue & Customs.

Look out for your letter

We’ve recently written to all households in the borough with details of who is on the electoral register at the property. Anyone eligible to vote and living at the address, but whose name is not on the letter, should register to vote as soon as possible at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to be able to vote on polling day.

Young people, students and people who move frequently are much less likely to be registered. So, if you’ve moved recently or are a first-time voter, don’t forget to register yourself, or you could lose your vote.

You can even register if you’re aged 16 or 17, ready for when you become eligible to vote at 18. Please help us to spread this message among family and friends who may not have registered yet. Did you know that registering also helps to keep your credit reference up to date?

Apply for a postal or proxy vote

If you’re unable to get to a polling station on election day you can apply for a postal vote (by 21 April) or proxy vote (by 28 April) on our Voting and elections page of our website.

Anyone without access to the internet can call 01737 276794 for assistance.