On Thursday, 5th May, voters across the Avon and Somerset Police area will go to the polls to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner.

The following people will be standing for election as Police and Crime Commissioner for the Avon and Somerset Police Area: Kerry Barker, (Labour Party), Chris Briton, (Green Party), Paul Crossley, (Liberal Democrats), Aaron Warren Foot, (UKIP), Sue Mountstevens, (Independent), Kevin Stewart Phillips, (Independent) and Mark Weston, (Conservative). Readers can find out more about the candidates on the Avon and Somerset PCC Election website.

You can vote at the election if you are registered to vote, are eighteen or over on 5th May and are a British citizen, a European Union citizen or a qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Poll cards with details of the PCC election and the location of polling stations will be posted to all registered electors during this month. If you are not yet registered at your current address, you can do so at: www.avonpccelection2016.org.uk/register-to-vote. Those who would prefer to register using a paper form, can download a registration form from the online registration site or alternatively can request one by calling the Electoral Services Helpline on: 01225 477333. The deadline to register to vote in time for the PCC election is midnight today - Monday, 18th April.

If you are unable to go to the polling station on Thursday, 5th May, then if you have registered by 18th April you can apply to vote by post or appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. The deadline for postal vote applications is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 19th April, while the deadline for proxy vote applications is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 26th April.

Dr Jo Farrar, the Avon and Somerset Police Area Returning Officer, said: “Time is running out to make sure you can take part in these elections, so I’d encourage everyone across the Avon and Somerset Police Area to register now if you have not done so already. Our message is simple: you can’t vote, if you are not registered by the deadline. It’s easy and only takes a few minutes online.”

Registering now for the elections in May will also mean voters are registered in good time before the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union on Thursday, 23rd June 2016.