Residents urged to make sure they are registered to vote ahead of local elections

Residents across Sefton are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote in time for the local elections this coming May.

On Thursday, May 6 residents throughout the borough will cast their vote and utilise their democratic right to decide who represents them at a local level.

Local government elections select councillors, who are responsible for making decisions on running services in your local area. These include housing, education, transport, planning, parks, leisure, fire and public safety, social care and waste management. 

On May 6, 2021, a local election will be held in Sefton with 22 seats on the local authority being contested. By-elections will also take place for Blundellsands and Derby wards.

Residents will be voting for the seats which were set to be contested in the 2020 local elections process but were postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 elections run alongside voting processes for the Merseyside Police Area, Police & Crime Commissioner and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Mayor.

In order to vote in this important election, residents must be on the electoral register.

The deadline to register to vote in the local elections is April 19 and Sefton Council is asking residents who have not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time.

Anyone can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes and Sefton has had more than 15,000 new registrations in the last 2 years.

Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, said: “Time is running out to make sure you can take part in the local elections. These elections are an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here across Sefton.

“If you have recently turned 18 or moved home, it is particularly important that you act to ensure that you are registered to vote.

“It takes just five minutes online and means that you can take part in this important election.”

“If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you will still be registered to vote.

“If in doubt, check your details by giving us a call on 0345 140 0845.”