Time is running out for people to register to vote at this year’s local election

Swindon residents who wish to cast their vote at a polling station at this year’s local election on Thursday, 3 May must register to vote by midnight tomorrow (17 April).

Anyone who wishes to issue a postal vote must register by 5pm on Wednesday (18 April).

Registering to vote is a simple process, with people just having to visit: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. All residents need to do is fill out the form online and pick which method of voting they would like to use.

These are:

1. Polling station – residents can use one of 98 convenient polling stations that will be set up all across Swindon.
2. Postal vote – a postal vote will be sent to residents who request one, but it must be securely posted back to the Council as quickly as possible to make sure it is counted.
3. Proxy vote – giving permission for someone to vote for a preferred candidate on someone else’s behalf. To be able to vote by proxy people must register to vote by midnight on Wednesday, 25 April.

Swindon is taking part in the Government’s national Voter ID pilot scheme which means that Swindon residents voting at a polling station will need to bring their poll card with them to vote.

Anyone who does not register to vote at a polling station will not receive a poll card.

Swindon is one of five local authorities taking part in the pilot which is fully funded by the Cabinet Office and aims to combat voter fraud. The Voter ID pilot will not affect postal votes and forms of identification are not required. To find out more about the Voter ID pilot, please visit the Council’s website:www.swindon.gov.uk/VoterID

Swindon Borough Council’s Electoral Services Manager, Sally Sprason, said: “I would like to encourage everyone to register to vote by this week’s two deadlines. Registering is quick and easy as it only takes five minutes and you won’t be able to vote in the local elections without doing so.

“I would also like to remind everyone who votes at a polling station to bring their poll card with them to be able to vote quickly and easily in the local elections. The poll cards contain a barcode that is unique to the individual, which will be scanned before they place their vote on polling day so it’s really important everyone remembers to bring it on 3 May.”