South Cambridgeshire residents are being encouraged to register to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, as a major national advertising campaign launches across England ahead of local government and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections on 5th May and in the European Referendum the following month.

Polling day will see voters in South Cambridgeshire go to the polls to elect parish councillors, 19 district councillors and Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, but they must be registered by 18th April to be able to cast their vote on 5th May. Registering now for the elections in May will also mean voters are registered in good time before the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union on 23 June.

The Electoral Commission today launched its national voter registration campaign to remind people to register by the Monday, 18th April deadline. In England advertising will appear across TV and online on-demand video services. This is in addition to the work already being carried out across England by the Commission and partner organisations, which started earlier this year.

SCDC have already been working to encourage residents to register, publishing an article in South Cambs Magazine, writing to 6,000 properties where no one is currently registered to vote and visiting local sixth forms to encourage young people to register.

Jean Hunter, chief executive and electoral registration officer for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said:

Time is running out to make sure you can take part in these elections. I’d encourage everyone in South Cambridgeshire to take action now if they’re not already registered. You can’t vote in May if you aren’t registered by 18 April. It’s easy and only takes a few minutes online – just head to gov.uk/register-to-vote and have your National Insurance number to hand.

Residents without internet access can also register over the phone by calling 03450 455 214. You will need your National Insurance number to complete registration.