Deadline approaches for Eastbourne residents to register their vote

On May 6 votes open in elections for East Sussex County Council, the police and crime commissioner for Sussex and a Hampden Park by-election for Eastbourne Borough Council.

For those who choose to vote in person, Eastbourne Borough Council says polling stations will be safe places to vote with measures in place such as social distancing, hand sanitiser, one-way systems and face masks.

People can also vote by post or by appointing someone to vote in their place – a proxy vote.

Residents have until midnight on April 19 to register, the deadline to apply for a for postal vote is 5pm on April 20 and 5pm on April 27 for a proxy vote.

Ailsa Irvine, director of electoral administration and guidance at the electoral commission, said, “You can’t have your say in these important elections unless you are registered to vote.

“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 any action.

“If in doubt, you can check with your local authority on 01323 410000.”

For information on elections, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter.