Where will you be on Thursday 5 May 2011?

With the first UK-wide referendum in over 30 years taking place on Thursday 5 May 2011, Shropshire Council is urging voters to be ready to have their say.

The referendum is on the voting system used for the election of MPs to the UK Parliament.  The question being put to voters on 5 May 2011 is:

“At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ’alternative vote’ system be used instead?”

With several Bank Holidays coming up, residents who are going to be away on 5 May can also apply to vote by post or by proxy.

Kim Ryley, Shropshire’s counting officer, said:

“If you’re not registered, you won’t be able to vote.  Most people register to vote using the form that local councils send to each household each year.  Now is the time to make sure you are registered to vote before the deadline on Thursday 14 April 2011, and to apply for a postal or proxy vote if that is your preference.  You can call Shropshire Council’s elections team on 0345 678 9015 or print off the forms from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.”

Chris Hinde, Electoral Commission regional manager for the Midlands, said:

“People don’t always realise that they can have their say in different ways, including by post, or by asking someone you trust (a ‘proxy’) to cast your vote for you.  So if you are going to be away on Thursday 5 May 2011, take a few minutes now to make sure your voice will still be heard.”