Cheshire East residents will go to the polls on Thursday 2 May to have their say on who represents them as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire.

Under the Parliament Act 2022, a General Election must also be held before 28 January 2025.

To vote in these important elections, residents must be on the electoral register. With the deadline to register to vote fast approaching for May's election, Cheshire East Council is urging people who have not yet registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 16 April 2024. It takes just five minutes to apply online at Gov.UK. 

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) oversees your local police force and seeks to ensure they are prioritising what matters to you.

There are a number of ways to have your say in the May elections – you can vote in a polling station, by post or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote. 

Voters are also now required by law to provide acceptable photo ID when voting in person. The full list of accepted photo ID is available on the Electoral Commission's website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID.

Returning Officer Rob Polkinghorne said: "If you are not already registered to vote at your current address, I would urge you to take just a few minutes to register and ensure you can take part in these elections.

Returning Officer Rob Polkinghorne. (Photo: Cheshire East Council)

"They 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 in Cheshire East. If you are not registered by 16 April 2024, you won't be able to vote.

"If you have recently turned 18 or moved house, perhaps as a student moving back 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 the council's election team on 0300 123 5016."

Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 2 May. The deadline for completed postal vote applications to be received by the elections team is 5pm on 17 April 2024, and the deadline for receipt of completed applications for a proxy vote is 5pm on 24 April 2024.

For information on the PCC elections, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, voters can visit the Electoral Commission website. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.

Further information is available on other pages of the council's website. Search under voting and elections.