Make sure you are eligible to vote – your last chance

Now is the time to make sure you are registered to vote in the local elections on 2 May.

Polling cards have been dropping through letter boxes in South Kesteven in the past few days – and if you don’t get one, this could mean you are not entitled to vote.

If you think you are not registered to vote, you may be unable to have your say in the district and parish elections.

People who may not be on the register include those who have recently moved house, or who have turned 18 since the last election.

To register, people should visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and provide their date of birth and National Insurance number in addition to the usual details of name, address, previous address and nationality.

Residents need to supply their details by the deadline of Friday 12 April.

Returning officer Aidan Rave said: “Anyone who has not already registered or has moved house recently needs to register by the deadline to be able to vote at the local elections.”

The dates and deadlines for the 2 May local elections are:

• Friday 12 April: register to vote deadline
• Monday 15 April at 5pm: postal vote application deadline
• Wednesday 24 April at 5pm: proxy vote application deadline
• Tuesday 2 May: polling day

More details on all of these deadline is at https://www.yourvotematters.co.uk/

Call our elections team on 01476 40 60 80 if you need more information or want to check if you are registered or email elections@southkesteven.gov.uk

For media enquiries:

Email the SKDC communications team at pr@southkesteven.gov.uk or phone 01476 406498 or 406440.

Notes to editors

1. The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone registered to vote in public elections. The register is used for electoral purposes, such as making sure only eligible people can vote. It is also used for other limited purposes specified in law, such as: detecting crime (eg fraud), calling people for jury service or checking credit applications.

2. The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be purchased by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register does not affect your right to vote.

3. To be eligible to register to vote in England a person must be:

– Aged 16 or over (a person may register to vote at 16, but may not vote until they are 18)

– A British or qualifying Commonwealth citizen who has leave to enter and remain in the UK or does not require such leave.

– A citizen of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) member state.

4. British citizens, Irish citizens and qualifying citizens of Commonwealth countries (including Cyprus and Malta), as well as citizens of other EU member states can vote in local government elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.