Make sure you’re able to make your voice heard

CALDERDALE residents will be going to the polls for the local elections in little over a month, and their council is urging them to make sure they are registered to vote.

On Thursday, May 2, people will be able to vote in the council’s local election and in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral election to have their say - but only if they’re registered.

Registering to vote is quick and easy and can be done online at www.gov.uk/registerto-vote, says the council.

Alternatively, you can contact Calderdale Council’s Electoral Services on 01422 393103 or electoral-services@calderdale. gov.uk to request a form.

The deadline for registering to vote in the May 2024 elections is midnight on Tuesday, April 16.

It needs to be done if someone has never registered before, has moved house or changed their name, and regardless of whether they want to vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

One change this year is that from May 2, voters will only be allowed to hand in their own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people, at a polling station, or at the council’s Electoral Services’ reception, if they choose not to post it.

A declaration form must be completed when a postal vote is handed in, otherwise it will be rejected.

It will also be a criminal offence for campaigners to handle postal votes for other voters who are not close relatives or somebody the campaigner provides regular care for.

Robin Tuddenham (pictured, above), who is the Returning Officer at Calderdale Council, said the council wanted people to have their voices heard.

“Your vote matters. Don’t lose it. Make sure you are election-ready and register to vote by midnight on Tuesday, April 16.

“It only takes a few minutes.

“By voting in the May elections, you will have the chance to say who you want to represent you in Calderdale, and who you want to be the Mayor of West Yorkshire,” he added.

Residents are also reminded of other election deadlines:

■■Wednesday, April 17, at 5pm - the last date for receipt of applications to vote by post, and to amend or cancel an existing proxy vote. ■■Wednesday, April 24, at 5pm - the last date for receipt of new applications to vote by proxy, and to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (photo ID to vote in person at a polling station) if you don’t have another accepted form of ID.

In the run-up to the May elections, Calderdale Council is backing the Your Vote is Yours Alone campaign, which the Electoral Commission is running in partnership with Crimestoppers to raise awareness of and help prevent electoral fraud.

No-one, not even a partner or family member, is allowed to pressure you into voting a certain way, offer you something in exchange for your vote, pretend to be you at the polling station or complete your postal vote for you, says the council.

If someone tries to take your vote, or the vote of anyone you know, call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org online.

More information about elections and voting is available online at new.calderdale. gov.uk/council/elections-and-voting