The Electoral Commission estimates that 12% of people are not registered to vote in the West Midlands, as half the region gets set to go to the polls on 3 May 2018.

The Commission’s brand new campaign, 'Got 5?' is encouraging people across the South West to register online at gov.uk/register-to-vote before the 17 April deadline if they have local elections in their area. 

It’s estimated between 390,000 and 510,000 aren’t registered to vote in the West Midlands.

The campaign is particularly targeted at people under 34, recent home movers and private renters who are less likely to be registered, and highlights that you can quickly register in five minutes while waiting for the kettle to boil or running a bath. Chris Hinde, Electoral Commission Regional Manager for the West Midlands said:

“With 15 local authorities in the West Midlands holding local elections in May it’s vital that people in these areas register to vote before the 17 April deadline.

“We’re keen to see people using the time that may otherwise be wasted, like waiting for a bus, to go online and complete a form in less than five minutes. It’s quick, simple and really important.”

People can find out if they have elections in their area on the Commission’s Your Vote Matters website.

Local government elections select councillors, who are responsible for making decisions on running services in your local area. To vote in local council elections a person must be registered to vote, 18 years or over on polling day and also be one of the following:

·         a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the European Union

·         resident in the UK

·         not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote

If you were eligible to vote in last year’s general election and your details have not changed, you will still be registered to vote.

More information on voting in the local elections can be found on the Commission’s Your Vote Matters website.