Where will you be on Thursday 5 May?
With local and parish elections, and the first UK-wide referendum in over 30 years taking place on Thursday 5 May, Winchester City Council is urging voters to be ready to have their say.
The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament. The question being put to voters on 5 May is:
“At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ’alternative vote’ system be used instead?”
With several bank holidays coming up, residents who are going to be away on 5 May can also apply to vote by post or by proxy.
Stephen Whetnall Returning Officer said: “Now is the time to make sure you are registered to vote before the deadline on Thursday 14 April and to apply for a postal or proxy vote. You can call the Elections Team on 01962 848 154 or print off the forms from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.”
Phillippa Saray, Electoral Commission regional managersaid: “People don’t always realise that they can have their say in different ways, including by post of by asking someone you trust (a ‘proxy’) to cast your vote for you. So if you are going to be away on Thursday 5 May, take a few minutes now to make sure your voice will still be heard.”