Registration reminder as double vote draws near
31 March 2011
Manchester residents are being urged to ensure they are ready to have their say on Thursday 5 May in the city’s local elections and the first UK-wide referendum for a generation.
Voters will go to the polls to choose one councillor for each of the City Council's 32 wards, plus an additional councillor to fill a further vacancy in Burnage.
The elections are being held at the same time as a national referendum on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament asking whether the current 'first past the post' system should be replaced with the 'alternative vote' system.
Residents are being encouraged to make sure they are registered so they can use their democratic voice in both votes.
The electoral registration deadline for both the local elections and referendum is Thursday 14 April so voters are urged to get their applications in as soon as possible.
People who have changed their addresses or names (for instance through marriage) recently are also advised to contact the elections unit to make sure their details are up to date and anybody who isn't sure if they are registered to vote can contact the elections unit to find out.
Applying to vote is quick and easy. Residents can download an application form from the Council's website http://www.manchester.gov.uk/elections or can ask for an application form to be sent to them by post by emailing
esu@manchester.gov.uk or by calling 0161 234 1212.
Anyone who wants to vote by post, for instance because they will be on holiday or have difficulty getting to a polling station, can apply for a postal vote. You can also apply for a 'proxy' vote in which you appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf. The deadline for applications for a postal vote is 5pm on Thursday 14 April.
A City Council spokesperson said: "Elections are a vital opportunity to influence important decisions on issues which affect their everyday lives.
"People can sometimes assume that because they have other dealings with the council, for instance paying their council tax, they are automatically placed on the electoral register. This is not the case. I'd encourage anyone who's in doubt whether they are registered to get in touch as soon as possible."
