On Thursday 6 May residents of the Isles of Scilly will have their say on who represents them on the local council and as police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall police force.
In order to vote in these important elections, residents must be on the electoral register. With only one week to go until the deadline to register to vote, the Council of the Isles of Scilly is urging people who have not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 19 April. It takes just five minutes to apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. This year residents of the Isles of Scilly will be voting in two different elections and will select:
- a new set of 16 councillors for the Council of the Isles of Scilly, who will represent local residents and contribute to the development of policies in areas such as transport, social care and housing; and
- the Police and Crime Commissioner who oversees Devon and Cornwall police force and ensures they are prioritising what matters to you.
Paul Masters, Electoral Registration Officer for the Council of the Isles of Scilly, said:
“With only one week to go, time is running out to make sure you can take part in these elections. They are an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here on Scilly. If you’re not registered by 19 April, you won’t be able to vote.”
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission said:
“You can’t have your say in these important elections unless you are registered to vote. It’s quick and easy – it takes just five minutes online at www.gov.uk/registertovote.
“If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important that you act to ensure that you are registered to vote.
“If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action. If in doubt, you can check with your local authority on 01720 424545.”
Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May.
The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 20 April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on 27 April.
For information on elections in their area, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, voters can visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.
For more information contact Joseph Payne, Elections Officer at the Council of the Isles of Scilly, at elections@scilly.gov.uk.
--
Notes to editors
The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:
- enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
- regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
- using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency
The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK, Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.
Elections taking place in England, Scotland and Wales on 6 May 2021:
- Senedd
- Scottish Parliament
- English local government elections (includes polls postponed from May 2020), including elections to county, district and parish councils
- Police and Crime Commissioners (polls postponed from May 2020)
- Combined Authority Mayoral (includes polls postponed from May 2020)
- Local Mayoral (includes polls postponed from May 2020)
- Mayor of London and London Assembly (polls postponed from May 2020)