On Thursday, 6th May residents in Bath and North East Somerset will have their say on who represents them at the West of England Mayoral Election and the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner election.

In order to vote in these important elections, residents must be on the electoral register. With the deadline to register to vote fast approaching, B&NES Council 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, 19th April. It takes just five minutes to apply online at: www.gov.uk/registertovote. This year local residents will be voting in two different elections and will select:

• The West of England, or Regional Mayor leads the West of England Combined Authority which works to champion the region and drive clean and inclusive economic growth. B&NES, Bristol and South Gloucestershire Councils are members of WECA.

• The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), who oversees your local police force and ensures they are prioritising what matters to you.

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission said: “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 action. If in doubt, you can check with your local authority: 01225 477333.”

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 6th May.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 20th April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on 27th April.