Register to Vote in Time to Have Your Say This May

On Thursday 7 May residents in Reading Borough will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them at a local level.

This year, local residents will be voting in two different elections and will select:

• Councillors, who make decisions on services in your local area. These include housing, education, transport, planning, parks, leisure, public safety, social care and waste management.
• The Police and Crime Commissioner, who is the voice of the people and holds the police to account. The Commissioner is responsible for the totality of policing and aims to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their force area.

In order to vote in these important elections, residents must be on the electoral register. Reading Borough Council is urging residents who have not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Tuesday 21st April 2020. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.

Christopher Brooks, Electoral Registration Officer for Reading Borough Council, said:

“Time is running out to make sure you can take part in the local elections. These elections are an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Reading. If you’re not registered by 21st April 2020, you won’t be able to vote.”

Adrian Green, Electoral Commission Regional Manager for Southwest England, said

: “You can’t have your say in these important elections unless you are registered to vote. It’s quick and easy – it takes just five minutes online at www.gov.uk/registertovote. “If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important that you act to ensure that you are registered to vote. “If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action. If in doubt, you can check with your local authority on 0118 937 3717.”

Notes to Editor

The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by: · enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible · regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches · using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK and Scottish Parliaments.