Voters across Gloucestershire are being encouraged to make sure they are registered, have applied for postal voting and applied for identification if needed ahead of the deadlines, so that they can vote in the police and crime commissioner elections on Thursday 2 May.
To take part in any election anyone over the age of 18 must be registered in the area they live in. Some people eligible to vote may not be registered and therefore will not be able to cast a vote. This may be because they have recently moved or are voting for the first time.
Residents can make an application to register to vote through the Government website which takes only five minutes to complete. They must register by Monday 16 April and can do so at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Residents who are away on Thursday 2 May, or prefer to vote by post, they must apply before the deadline of 5pm Tuesday 17 April.
Anyone applying to vote by post will need to provide their national insurance number as part of the application. If you have an existing postal vote arrangement, you do not need to reapply.
Electors may also choose to vote by proxy, where they appoint someone to vote on their behalf. The deadline to appoint a proxy is 5pm Wednesday 24 April. Proxy voters will be required to show their own valid ID when voting on behalf of someone else.
Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of photographic ID.
Accepted forms of photographic ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth photocard driving licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID as long as the photograph is still a good likeness. Voters may be required to provide further proof of identity if there is any discrepancy between the name shown on the form of photographic ID and the name the voter claims at the polling station.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form which is available from your local Council.