Make sure you can vote in local elections and referendum

New Forest residents are being reminded to make sure they are on the electoral register and able to vote in local elections this May.

The four-yearly elections for members of New Forest District Council and the 37 parish and town councils in the district, will be held on Thursday 5 May 2011.

 

These elections will be combined with the national referendum on whether to change the voting system to be used at UK Parliamentary elections from the current ‘first past the post’ system to the alternative vote system.

If you are unsure whether you are registered to vote or if you have changed address, ring the council’s Electoral Services Team on 023 8028 5445.

 

If you’re not already registered, you have until Thursday 14 April to apply. Forms are available online at www.newforest.gov.uk

All electors registered to vote at the elections and the referendum will receive a poll card telling them where to vote.

 

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

Dave Yates, the electoral registration and returning officer at New Forest District Council, encourages residents, firstly, to check whether they are registered and, secondly, to vote on 5 May.

 

He said:

 

“The elections on 5 May are residents’ opportunity to vote for councillors who will be taking important decisions about local issues for the next four years.

 

This is also the first time in nearly 40 years that citizens will vote in a national referendum and I encourage everyone to take part.”

Residents may also vote by post or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf. 

 

Application forms are available to download from the council’s website: www.newforest.gov.uk 

 

Forms must be received by the council no later than 5pm on Thursday 14 April. 

For further information on the referendum visit the Electoral Commission website www.electoralcommission.org.uk

 

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