Marshalswick South will elect a councillor on Thursday 5 May, which we hope will be a Liberal Democrat!

But are you registered to vote?

Have you moved home since the register was published 1 December 2010? Whenever you change any of your personal details, such as your address, you will always need to re-register, even if you are still within the same local authority area.

Did you know that being on the Council Tax list does not mean you are registered to vote?

A student can register to vote at their term-time address as well as their home address. You can only vote once in any one election, however.

If you are in the armed forces you can register as a Service Voter and you will only have to re-register every three years.

To be eligible to vote on 5 May 2011 you need to register with the District Council by 14 April 2011.

Registration forms can be obtained from the District Council’s Electoral Services team by sending an e-mail to: [email protected] or telephoning the helplines: 01727 819291, 819294 or 819545.

If you are a British citizen and you are thinking of living or working abroad, you may still be able to vote from your last address here. Your right to vote in this country’s elections can apply for up to 15 years. At the time of an election you can choose to vote by post or proxy.

The Electoral Services Team can provide application forms for postal votes and proxy votes. Applications for postal votes must be received at the District Council Offices by 14 April or for proxy votes, by 21 April.

There are new rules to make registration and voting easier for:

• people living overseas
• homeless persons
• remand prisoners
• mental health patients in care

Their names must not be included on the normal registration form. Please contact electoral services if you would like more details.

People with no fixed address can register using a ‘declaration of local connection’ which can be obtained from the Electoral Services team.

Cllr Allan Siao Ming Witherick said: “Please ensure that you are registered on the electoral register. Registration will enable you to vote on 5 May in Marshalswick South and in the proposed Referendum on the alternative voting (AV) system. Once registered you can vote at the Polling Station, by post or even have a proxy vote if you are ill or likely to be away from your polling station. Please do register as soon as you can, and in any event by 14 April 2011, the deadline for registration to vote in the next elections.”

Visit the Council’s website for further information: www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections/electoral-registration/. Or visit the Electoral Commission’s website: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/default.aspx