Hertsmere Borough Council residents urged to register to have their say in May

On Thursday 4 May people in Hertsmere will have their say at local elections on who represents them locally.

Residents must be on the electoral register to be able to vote in May. With the registration deadline approaching, Hertsmere Borough Council is urging those who are not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered before it is too late.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 17 April. It takes just five minutes to apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

This year residents in Hertsmere will be voting to select:

• Councillors, who represent their local area and residents, and will help shape the future of their local area by making plans and taking decisions.
• Parish councillors, who make decisions on local issues affecting their parish and act as ambassadors for their community, keeping everyone aware of local needs and concerns.

Sam Langford, Electoral Services Manager for Hertsmere Borough Council, said: “Local elections are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who makes decisions about issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Hertsmere. If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important to make sure you are correctly registered to vote. If you’re in doubt, you can check with us by contacting us on 020 8207 7481.” 

Those intending to vote at polling stations in May will now need to show photographic ID. They may already have an accepted form of ID, including a passport, driving licence, blue badge, national identity card or an identity card with a PASS mark on it.

Residents who do not have an accepted form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate either online or via a paper form. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. To find out what ID is accepted, for more information on voter ID or how to apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, please visit our website: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/voterID or contact the council on 020 8207 7481.

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said: “If you’re not registered by 17 April, you will not be able to vote this May. Registering to vote only takes five minutes and can be done online.

“This year voters should also remember that they will need to bring photo ID to the polling station to be able to vote. Anyone that does not have an accepted form of ID can apply for free voter ID by 25 April.”

To find out more about voting, please visit: www.hertsmere.gov.uk/waystovote