Wokingham

This coming June, residents of the Wokingham Borough will be heading to the polls to vote in the European Parliamentary election. There are also by-elections for the Wokingham Borough Council seat in the Wokingham Without ward and the Woodley Town Council seat in the Loddon Airfield ward.

Wokingham Borough Council is reminding local residents that they must be on the electoral register by Tuesday May 19 otherwise they will not be able to have their say at the European Parliamentary election on Thursday June 4 and if applicable, the borough and parish by-elections being held on the same day.

Poll cards will be sent to all eligible electors, week beginning May 4 regardless of whether they are postal voters or those who vote at polling stations.

Wokingham Voters wishing to apply to vote by post at the European Parliamentary elections and local by-elections must apply to do so by Tuesday May 19. Postal votes can be sent out to addresses in the UK and abroad. Postal ballot papers will be sent direct to the resident in the post around May 22. Residents have to make sure they return their postal vote by election day, otherwise it won’t be counted.

Alison Wood, Wokingham electoral services manager, said: “Local residents need to remember that if they are not on the electoral register by May 19 they will be unable to vote at the European Parliamentary elections. Those residents who are eligible to vote in the borough and parish by-elections taking place in June also need to ensure they are on the electoral register.

“You need to register if you haven’t done so already to cast your vote and it is easy to do. All you have to do is complete an electoral registration form and return it to the council. It is important to remember that paying council tax will not automatically add you to the register. If you have moved home recently you will need to complete a new registration form.

“If you are going to be aboard on June 4 or unable to get to a polling station on this day, you can also apply for a postal vote, which you need to do by Tuesday May 19. Voting is your chance to have your say – don’t miss out on it!”

Registration forms are available from electoral services at the civic offices, Shute End, Wokingham or by calling (0118) 974 6522 and (0118) 974 6523. Forms can also be downloaded at: www.wokingham.gov.uk/council-meetings-democracy/elections or www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. Completed forms need to be printed off and signed and returned to the council no later than Tuesday May 19 if residents wish to vote in the European Parliamentary election or the borough and parish by-elections.

Wokingham Borough Council