Voters urged to register in time to have their say in May

To be able to vote in these important elections, residents must be on the electoral register. With the deadline to register to vote just under a month away, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is urging people who have not registered at their current address to make surethey are registered in time. 

The deadline to register is midnight on Monday 19 April. It takes just five minutes to apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. This year residents will vote in three different elections to select:

• County councillors, who make decisions about public services across Surrey in areas such as social care, schools, roads and transport, public health and fire and rescue services
• Borough councillors, who decide on services at a local level including planning, parks, leisure and community centres, recycling and waste collection, housing and public health.
• The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), who oversees your local police force and ensures they are prioritising what matters to you.

Postal and proxy vote deadlines

Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – you can vote in person at a polling station, by post or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote.

If you want to vote by post or proxy, please apply as early as possible. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 20 April, and for a proxy vote you must apply by 5pm on 27 April. 

For those who choose to vote in person, measures are being put in place so that polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May.

Making polling stations safe

Mari Robert-Wood, Electoral Registration Officer for Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, said: “With only one month to go, time is running out to make sure you can take part in May’s elections. They are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect your day-to-day life. If you’re not registered by 19 April, you won’t be able to vote.

“However you choose to cast your vote in May, you can do so safely. We’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station. But you also have the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy. If you want to vote this way please apply as soon as possible to receive your ballot in good time.”

Don't lose your vote

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission said: “You can’t have your say in these important elections unless you are registered to vote. It’s quick and easy – it takes just five minutes online at gov.uk/registertovote.

“If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important that you act to ensure that you are registered to vote. If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action. If in doubt, you can check with your council.”

More information 

For information on May’s elections in Reigate & Banstead, including how to register to vote, applying for a postal or by proxy vote and how polling stations will be kept safe, see the Coming elections page. You can also find more information at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter. 

Residents who don’t have access to the internet can call us on 01737 276794.