main content Don’t miss the mark on 4 May

Residents who are not currently on the electoral register, or who have moved recently, have until 13 March to sign up to vote in the local elections on 4 May. Despite Bromley having the highest percentage in London of eligible voters on the register, more than 3,500 households are still unregistered.

Every day, our local councillors take vital decisions in areas such as education, employment, social care and health, housing, the environment and leisure. Anyone who is not on the register will be unable to make their mark on election day to help choose these representatives. It will be four years before the next opportunity.

The 2006 electoral register was published last December, based on information supplied by residents. Anyone who has moved house or changed their name since 15 October 2005 should contact us before 13 March so we can update the register.

Anyone can now choose to vote by post, provided we receive the application before 18 April. Parents with children at university are reminded that this is the easiest way for many students to vote. Residents can also vote by proxy, which means authorising someone to vote on their behalf, should they be on holiday or incapacitated.

David Bartlett, Chief Executive and the electoral registration officer for the borough, said: “We want as many people to vote on 4 May as possible but they must register before the final cut off date of 13 March. As well as offering three different ways to vote, we provide facilities and assistance for people with disabilities to ensure they don’t lose their chance to vote.”

Election staff will do everything possible to ensure people with disabilities are able to cast their vote. This includes wheelchair access and assistance at polling stations, providing tactile devices and magnifiers if required, and displaying large print ballot papers.

Residents can register to vote in person, by post or proxy by downloading, completing and returning the relevant form on our website www.bromley.gov.uk. For more information email electoral@bromley.gov.uk or call 020 8313 4364.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The 2006 electoral register was published on 1 December 2005 based on the annual canvass during autumn. There was a 97.01% return rate, which was a record for Bromley under current legislation and the highest in London 
•  Key dates in the comings months: 
• 13 March deadline to register or update details 
• early April poll card distribution begins
• 5 April publication of candidates’ names 
• 18 April postal vote application deadline 
• 25 April proxy vote application deadline
• 4 May election day, 7am-10pm 
• To vote in a local Council election you must be: 
• aged 18 years or over
• a British, Irish or other Commonwealth citizen 
• a citizen of a European Union member state 
• listed on the electoral register 
• 295,000 people live in the borough, 232,000 of whom are eligible to vote 
• In the 2002 local elections, 36.94% of those eligible to vote did so
• There are 60 councillors across 22 wards
•  We use 185 polling stations across the borough 
  
• For media enquiries, please email richard.simcox@bromley.gov.uk or call 020 8313 4310