Worcester residents are urged to ensure they're registered to vote by the deadline of 14 April so that they can have their say in the upcoming local elections.
Worcester City Council currently holds elections in three out of every four years, with a third of councillors being elected each time. This year voters will go to the polls in 12 of the city's 15 wards on election day, Thursday May 5.
The City Council is responsible for services such as planning, bin collections, housing, leisure and parks - and local people are urged to go to the polls to choose the person they would like to represent them on the council.
Shane Flynn, Returning Officer for Worcester, said: "Time is running out to make sure you can take part in Worcester's local elections. If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important to make sure you are correctly registered to vote. Remember, if you are not registered before midnight on 14 April, you won't be able to take part, so please take five minutes to go online to Register 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 the City Council at
Those wishing to apply for a postal vote – or for a proxy vote, where they nominate someone else to cast their ballot paper for them, should go to www.worcester.gov.uk/elections. The deadline for postal votes is 5pm on April 19 and for a proxy application, the deadline is 5pm on April 26.
This year, Worcester City Council has elections for one councillor in these wards: Battenhall, Bedwardine, Cathedral, Claines, Gorse Hill, Rainbow Hill, St John, St Peter's Parish, Warndon, Warndon Parish North and Warndon Parish South.
In Nunnery ward, there will also be a by-election following the recent resignation of Jim Carver as a councillor, so voters there will be asked to choose two candidates (on a single ballot paper).
There will not be elections this year in Arboretum, St. Clement, and St. Stephen Wards.
