Not yet registered to vote on 2 May? Don’t worry you still have time to do so

There are four elections being held in the borough on Thursday, 2 May – three London wide elections and one local by-election in West Putney ward. The London wide elections are for

•    The Mayor of London, now elected on a first past the post system
•    The Merton and Wandsworth Constituency Assembly Member 
•    The London-wide Assembly Member 

If you aren’t yet registered to vote, the deadline for registering is midnight on Tuesday, 16 April. The simplest and easiest way to do this is online and it should only take a few minutes.

People should also be aware that registering to pay council tax does not register you to vote. They are two separate processes.

To be eligible to vote in any of the London wide elections on 2 May you must: 

•    Be registered to vote 
•    Live in London 
•    Be at least 18-years-old on the day of the elections 
•    Be a British citizen, a European Union citizen or a Commonwealth citizen who has or does not require leave to remain in the UK 

Residents living in West Putney ward who fit the above criteria can also vote in their local council by-election that day. The by-election is being held following the resignation of Councillor Claire Gilbert. 

Anyone wishing to vote in any of these elections is also being reminded that if they plan to cast their vote in person at a polling station they will need to bring photographic ID under new Government rules on voting at elections.

These new rules, which apply across the country, mean that anyone wishing to vote in person at any election must now show photographic ID. 

The council’s website has more information about voter identification and the types of ID that are permitted. 

Residents who don’t have suitable ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate

Ahead of polling day, registered voters will receive an official poll card containing details of their designated local polling station. If they wish to cast their vote they must do so at this specific polling station and not at any other. And while there is no need to take the poll card with them to the polling station, it will be helpful to staff if they do.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on election day – 2 May and voters are asked to attend in plenty of time and avoid a last-minute rush.

For more information about Voter ID rules, and other ways to vote, including by post or by proxy, please visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/vote