Coventry residents have under a week left to register for May 6 elections - The Coventry Observer

Coventry residents have under a week left to register for May 6 elections

Coventry Editorial 14th Apr, 2021   0

COVENTRY residents have five days left to register for voting in city and regional elections on Thursday May 6.

With the deadline to register to vote now less than a week away on Monday April 19, Coventry City Council is urging people who have not registered at their current address on the electoral register to meet the deadline.

City residents will have their say in three elections – who represents them locally, as well as in the West Midlands Combined Authority mayoral election and for their regional Police and Crime Commissioner.

It takes just five minutes to apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Residents can also apply for a postal or proxy vote if required.




This year residents in Coventry will have the opportunity to select:

  • Councillors, who represent residents in their local area and contribute to the development of policies in areas such as transport, social care and housing
  • A regional mayor, who is elected to lead the West Midlands Combined Authority on issues that are devolved from central government in Whitehall to the region, such as transport.
  • The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), who is elected to oversee your local police force and ensures they are prioritising what matters to you

Martin Reeves, Returning Officer at Coventry City Council said: “Your vote is important, and that’s why we’ve made sure that it is safe and accessible to have your voice heard in this year’s elections in Coventry.


“Robust safety measures – from wearing face masks and the ability to bring your own pen or pencil, to well-ventilated polling stations and access to hand sanitizer – have been put into place to ensure your safety when you vote.

“It’s also quick and easy to apply for a postal or proxy vote if you don’t feel comfortable or are unable to go to a polling station, to make sure that you can still have your say.”

“But if you’re not registered by April 19, you won’t be able to 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 local authority by emailing [email protected]

Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote on May 6.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on April 20, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on April 27.

For information on elections in their area, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, voters can visit electoralcommission.org.uk/voter. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.

coventry.gov.uk/elections

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