Don't miss your chance to vote

Lancaster City Council is reminding people who have not yet registered to vote that time is running out if they want to make their mark in this year’s General Election.

The city council will be responsible for administering the election of new MPs for the Morecambe and Lunesdale and the Lancaster and Fleetwood constituencies on 6th May.

The deadline for applications to be included on the Register of Electors in order to be able to vote is 5pm on Tuesday 20th April. Anyone registered after this time will not be able to vote in the election.

If you’re not sure if you are registered to vote, call Lancaster City Council’s electoral services team on 01524 582905 who will be able to check for you.

Registration forms can be downloaded from www.lancaster.gov.uk/elections, or by contacting the electoral services team.

You can’t vote if you’re not registered, and contrary to popular belief, you won’t be automatically registered even if you pay council tax.

Registering is particularly important for anyone who has recently moved home – if they do not register at their new address they risk falling off the electoral register.

20th April is also the deadline for registering for a postal vote. Voting by post is probably the easiest way to make your mark – for the vast majority of people it’s faster and easier than visiting the polling station.

To vote by post you must complete an application form. Email elections@lancaster.gov.uk giving your name and address, or telephone the elections helpline on 01524 582905, to have one posted out to you.

Please remember to return the application form by 20th April to secure your postal vote for the elections. Postal votes will be sent out on 27th April, so if you are going away before that date, you could appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.

• Anyone wishing to stand for election in either the Morecambe and Lunesdale or Lancaster and Fleetwood constituencies should contact the electoral services team on 01524 582905 for a nomination pack. The deadline for nominations is also 20th April.