Last date to register for elections

TIME is running out for people register to vote for two elections which will take place in Charnwood on Thursday May 2.

Residents will be able to have their say in the Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election and the Loughborough East Ward by-election.

The deadline to register to vote for both elections is midnight on Tuesday April 16.

Over 133,000 people in Charnwood are currently on the electoral register. However, if you are not registered, you can visit the Government’s website to find out how to register.

Students can register to vote at their home and term time addresses and can vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections for either or both areas.

Rob Mitchell, local returning officer said: “The deadline to register to vote is quickly approaching. I would urge residents who are not already registered to apply sooner rather than later.”

The nominated candidates for the Loughborough East Ward by-election and Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner election have been published on the Council’s website.

Photo ID will be required when visiting a polling station to vote. This requirement was introduced by the UK Government last year and applies to most elections including Police and Crime Commissioner and local by-elections.

A full list of accepted ID can be found on the Council’s website.

Residents without a suitable form of ID can apply for free ID called a Voter Authority Certificate which can only be used in polling stations.

The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate in time for the PCC election and Loughborough East by-election is Wednesday April 24 at 5pm.

Please ensure you are registered to vote before applying. You can find out more details about voter ID and applying for a Voter Authority Certificate on the council’s website.

If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post.

Time is also running out to apply for a postal vote. Residents who want to vote by post need to apply by 5pm on Wednesday April 17.

If you are unable to return your vote by post before Thursday May 2, you can take it your polling station on polling day.

The Elections Act 2022 has made several changes to the existing electoral law which means from Thursday May 2, you will be only able to hand in a maximum of up to six postal votes per poll. This includes your own postal vote, and postal votes of up to five other people per poll, at a polling station or the council offices.

www.charnwood.gov.uk/elections