Local elections are coming… residents are urged to check if they’re registered to vote

Date: 

Monday, 12 April, 2021

Woking Borough residents who wish to vote in the next local elections on Thursday 6 May 2021 are required to register to vote before midnight on Monday 19 April 2021.

Online registration is quick and easy; it takes just five minutes and can be completed at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Residents must be registered to vote at their current address.

The local elections, taking place on Thursday 6 May, will give residents the opportunity to vote in three different elections to choose:

  • Surrey County councillors, who make decisions about public services across Surrey in areas such as social care, schools, roads and transport, public health and fire and rescue services.
  • Woking Borough councillors, who decide on services at a local level including planning, parks, leisure and community centres, recycling and waste collection, housing and family services.
  • The Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), who oversees your local police force and ensures they are prioritising what matters to residents of Surrey.

Once registered, residents can choose their preferred way to vote. This can be in person at their local polling station, by post or via a proxy – a trusted person who votes on behalf of an individual.

If you would like to vote by post or proxy, please apply as early as possible. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 20 April, and for a proxy vote you must apply by 5pm on 27 April.

For those who choose to vote in person, COVID-secure measures are being put in place so that polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May.

Julie Fisher, Woking Borough Council's Returning Officer, said: “With less than one month to go until the May elections, it’s important for residents to check if they are registered to vote.

“Registering to vote and voting enables residents to have their say on important local issues, such as housing, health and wellbeing, planning control and green space management. Voting in local elections is the single most important way to help shape the place in which residents live.”

Residents who are unsure whether they are already on the Electoral Register, can contact Woking Borough Council's Elections Team on 01483 755 855 or email elections@woking.gov.uk

Find out more about the local elections.