A campaign to raise awareness of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections has been launched today by the Electoral Commission.
Twenty one million households across England (outside London) and Wales will receive a booklet with information about these new elections and how to vote in them. A TV, radio and online advertising campaign has begun and will run until polling day – Thursday November 15.
Samantha Mills, head of campaigns at the Electoral Commission, said: “These are new elections, taking place at an unfamiliar time of year and using a voting system that has not been widely used before. Over the next few days, voters will receive our booklet with all the information they need to cast their vote with confidence. This includes what the elections are for, when they are taking place and how to vote.”
“It also has information on polling station opening hours and how to request a postal vote. But if you want to vote, you need to be on the electoral register. Anyone who has not registered should visit our website – www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or contact our helpline on 0800 3 280 280.”
The deadline to register to vote for the first Police and Crime Commissioner elections is Wednesday October 31.
The Electoral Commission’s booklet will also contain details of the Government’s candidate information website. This is where voters will be able to find out who all of the candidates standing for election in their area are and read their election addresses. The booklet will also give the telephone number voters can ring to request printed information about candidates.