Voters urged to register in time to have their say in May
Everyone aged 18 and above is urged to secure their vote for important local elections in a few weeks’ time.
Voters will go to the polls on Thursday 6 May to elect a Councillor for 18 of St Albans City and District Council's 20 wards.
There will also be elections for Hertfordshire County Council and the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
In order to vote in in these elections, residents must be on the electoral register at their current address.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 19 April and it only takes a few minutes to do so online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
The Electoral Commission has launched a campaign called “Got 5?” to inform people how easy it is to do so.
Amanda Foley, Electoral Registration Officer for St Albans City and District, said: “Time is running out to make sure you can take part in these elections.
“The elections are an 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.”
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 www.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.”
In addition to the elections listed above, there will be by-elections for District Council seats in the Harpenden East and Harpenden South wards following the resignation of two sitting Councillors.
There will also be a by-election in the Colney Heath ward of Colney Heath Parish Council and a referendum in the Sandridge Parish Council area for its proposed neighbourhood plan.
If you were eligible to vote in the 2019 General Election and your details have not changed, you will still be registered to vote. If in doubt, check your details by calling the Council’s registration office on 01727 819294.
Anyone who has difficulty registering online can obtain a paper copy of the registration form. This can be requested by email to elections@stalbans.gov.uk or by phone to the number above.
Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot –by post, in person or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.
For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May.
For information on how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, voters can visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter.
St Albans City and District Council has 58 Councillors who serve staggered four year terms with around a third of the seats coming up for election in three out of each four year cycle. There are no Councillors up for election in the Sandridge and Colney Heath wards this year.
Hertfordshire County Council has 78 Councillors that are elected every four years with 10 seats in St Albans City and District.
Details of candidates who are standing for election will be available no later than Friday 9 April.
More information about the elections is available here: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/elections-thursday-6-may-2021.
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727-819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.