Voters urged to register to vote before this year’s elections in May

With only weeks to go until the voter registration deadline for local elections on 7 May, anyone who wants to vote must make sure they are registered in time.

This is particularly important for anyone that’s moved in the last few months, or those who have just turned 18 – you need to make sure your details are up to date.

In North East Lincolnshire there will be 15 seats up for election, one in each ward. To have your say at this year’s local elections, you must be registered to vote before midnight on Monday 20 April. If you’re not already registered, you can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.

Once registered, voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote.

Voters going to a polling station will need to show photo ID. To find out which ID you can use in the polling station, visit the Electoral Commission website. Most people already have valid photo ID and won’t need to take any action. If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing and submitting a paper form to your local authority.

Sharon Wroot, Electoral Registration Officer for North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Don’t lose your chance to have your say at elections in May. Local elections are an important opportunity to have your say on who represents you and makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in North East Lincolnshire.

“If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote, or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free ID, you can contact our electoral services – visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/elections to find a range of ways to contact them.”

Niki Nixon, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “It’s important that people check they’re ready to vote ahead of the upcoming local elections. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal, proxy vote or free ID.

“If you’ve changed address or moved home since you last registered, it takes just five minutes to update your details online. Checking now helps make sure you can vote in a way that’s right for you.

“Voters will also need to show photo ID at polling stations this May. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or by submitting a paper form to their local council.”

Clear, trusted information about registering to vote and all your voting options can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.