Police and Crime Commissioner elections booklet coming through your letterbox now

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 15 November.

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 31 October.

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.

1.The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Our aim is integrity and public confidence in the UK's democratic process. We regulate party and election finance and set standards for well-run elections and are responsible for the conduct and regulations of referendums held under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000).

The Electoral Commission's television advert, and Welsh language version, can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/Electoralcommission1

2. A person can vote in this election if they are registered in England or Wales (excluding London) and are:

• Aged 18 or over on polling day.
• A British citizen.
• An Irish, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

British citizens living overseas cannot vote in these elections.

3. Under the Supplementary Vote system, voters can vote for a first and second choice to win. Next to the list of candidates on the ballot papers will be two columns. Voters will be asked to vote for their first-choice candidate by marking a cross (X) in the first column; and vote for their second-choice candidate by marking a cross (X) in the second column.

As long as voters mark one cross in the first-choice column, their vote will be counted.

4. In police force areas where there are only two candidates standing, voters will use the First Past The Post system, which is used at General Elections. The ballot paper will only have one column and voters will be asked to mark one cross (X) by the candidate they want to win.

5. People can see who is standing for election in their area on the Government's website – www.choosemypcc.org.uk or can order printed information about candidates on 0800 1 07 07 08.