Worcester residents are being urged to ensure they're registered to vote by the deadline of 17 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 11 of the city's 15 wards on election day, Thursday 4 May.
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 17 April, you won't be able to take part, so please take five minutes to register at www.gov.uk/registertovote.
"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 by
"For the first time voters will be required to show photo identification in order to vote at polling stations on May 4. You can find out what forms of ID will be accepted and how to obtain free ID at www.worcester.gov.uk/elections, where you can also apply for a postal or proxy vote."
Those wishing to apply for a postal vote or 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 18 April and for a proxy application, the deadline is 5pm on 25 April.
A wide range of photo ID will be accepted at polling stations, which most people will already have. These include a passport, a driving licence, an immigration document and some travel passes, such as an older person's bus pass. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID, either online or by completing a paper form. The deadline to apply for these Voter Authority Certificates is 25 April and details of how to apply are on the Electoral Commission website.
This year, Worcester City Council has elections in these wards: Arboretum; Bedwardine; Cathedral; Claines; Nunnery; St Clement; St John; St Peter's; St Stephen; Warndon Parish North; and Warndon Parish South.
In 2024, the City Council will move to a system of all-out elections held once every four years. Therefore councillors elected this year will only serve a one-year term.
There will not be elections this year in the Battenhall, Gorse Hill, Rainbow Hill or Warndon wards.
