With Parliament dissolved and the General Election campaign officially underway, the countdown to May 7 has begun.
With just 36 days left until Britain goes to the polls, Stroud District Council is urging residents to make sure that they are ready to cast their votes in both the general and local elections.
As polling cards are sent to the 91,000 registered voters in the district this week, the council is keen to ensure that anyone entitled to vote does not miss out.
The deadline for registering to vote is Monday April 20.
David Hagg, Stroud District Council chief executive and returning officer for the elections, said: “With a high-profile general election taking place this year, I would urge people to register sooner rather than later as we are always inundated with last minute requests.
“You can't vote if you're not registered, and contrary to what some people believe, you won't be automatically registered if you pay council tax. We urge all residents to ensure they are on the electoral roll as soon as possible in order to avoid any disappointment.”
Only 3 weeks left to register to vote or apply for a postal vote for the forthcoming general and local elections https://t.co/dNmv1k6qOs
— Stroud DC (@StroudDC) March 30, 2015
Residents can register easily online at www.gov.uk/registertovote provided they know their national insurance number. Alternatively they can call 01453 754886 to request a form.
The deadline for postal vote applications, or to amend a postal vote, is 5pm on Tuesday, April 21. Anyone wanting a proxy vote, i.e. having someone place a vote on your behalf, would need to apply by 5pm on Tuesday April 28.
Mr Hagg added: “If you have just moved into the district or moved house within the district, please do remember to register. It is not too late.”
The vast majority of the residents in district will be voting to elect a member of parliament for the Stroud constituency; however Minchinhampton, Kingswood and Wotton-under-Edge residents come under the catchment for the Cotswold parliamentary constituency.
As well as the parliamentary election, 18 district council seats and seats in some parish and town councils will also be contested.
Anyone who is unsure if they are registered to vote should call the elections team on 01453 754886 or email elections@stroud.gov.uk
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