Less than six weeks left to register to vote in first Police and Crime Commissioner elections

People are being encouraged to check they are registered to vote in time for the first Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 15 November.

The deadline to register to vote is Wednesday 31 October. Anyone who has not yet registered should contact the electoral registration officer at their local council or visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk to download a form.

The call comes as the Electoral Commission, the UK's election watchdog, prepares to distribute a booklet to every household in England and Wales with information about these new elections.

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. Our booklet will come through your letterbox at the end of October. It has all the information you need to cast your vote with confidence. This includes what the PCC elections are for, when they are taking place and how to vote."

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.

Voters in 41 police force areas across England and Wales will elect their Police and Crime Commissioner using the Supplementary Vote system, the same system that is used in mayoral elections.

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).

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.

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.

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.

News release issued from Electoral Commission.