On Thursday 4 May residents will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them on Rochdale Borough Council, with 20 seats being contested.
In order to vote, residents must be on the electoral register. So with the deadline to register approaching, the council is urging people not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 17 April. It takes five minutes to register at rochdale.gov.uk/registertovote
There are a number of ways to have your say - you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf - a proxy vote.
Clare Poole, elections manager at Rochdale Borough Council said: “Local 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 in the borough. Local councillors help shape the future of their areas by making plans and taking decisions, but time is running out to make sure you can take part. If you’re not registered by 17 April you won’t be able to vote. If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important to make sure you are correctly registered to vote.”
If you are planning to vote at a polling station you will need to show photographic ID for the first time, so everyone is also being urged to check they have an accepted form of ID. Accepted ID includes a passport, driver’s licence, blue badge and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass. You can use expired ID if you’re still recognisable from the photo. If you intend to apply for a postal vote, you will not be affected by the changes and additional ID won’t be required.
Clare added: “This year voters should also remember that they must 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 at electoralcommission.org/VoterID. We’re providing support in person too as we appreciate not everyone will be able to apply online, so if you need any help with applying visit rochdale.gov.uk/elections, phone us on 0300 3030345 or call in and see us at Number One Riverside in Rochdale.”
If you know that you will not be able to get to a polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote for you. The deadline to apply or change a postal vote, is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April and the deadline for applying for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April.
Visit rochdale.gov.uk/elections to find out all you need to know about voting in the elections on Thursday 4 May. The website will be updated with new information, including candidates as they become available. If you have any questions you can also contact the elections team by emailing elections@rochdale.gov.uk or phone 0300 3030345.
Contact the Electoral Commission if you have questions about photo ID. Phone 0800 328 0280 or visit electoralcommission.org.uk/VoterID
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