Voters urged to register to vote before it's too late

​Research shows that some groups, including young people, students and those who have recently moved, are less likely to be registered than others. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 20. Voters can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.

You are not automatically registered to vote, even if you pay Council Tax. If you are unsure if you are already registered to vote, check online at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/article/3287/Am-I-registered-to-vote

Once registered, voters have a range of options - they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote.

Voters going to a polling station will need to show photo ID. To find out which ID you can use in the polling station, visit the Electoral Commission website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk. Most people already have valid photo ID and won't need to take any action. If you do not have one of the accepted types of ID, you can apply for free ID at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing and submitting a paper form to your local authority.

Niki Nixon, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, said: "It's important that people check they're ready to vote ahead of the upcoming local elections. All voters must be registered, and some may need to apply for a postal, proxy vote or free ID.

"If you've changed address or moved home since you last registered, it takes just five minutes to update your details online. Checking now helps make sure you can vote in a way that's right for you.

"Voters will also need to show photo ID at polling stations this May. Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of photo ID can apply for free ID online or by submitting a paper form to their local council."

Clear, trusted information about registering to vote and all your voting options can be found at www.electoralcommission.org.uk

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