WIREDGOV

Nearly one million beer mats have been distributed by the Electoral Commission to pubs and bars across England encouraging people to register to vote before the deadline in just one week.

The Commission’s new “Got 5?” campaign is encouraging anyone who isn’t registered to go online at gov.uk/register-to-vote whilst they wait in the pub for their mates and register before the deadline at midnight on 17 April.

With a third of voters under the age of 34 not registered, the beer mats at more than 900 venues in areas with local elections, urge people to register ahead of local elections on 3 May 2018.

Emma Hartley, Head of Campaigns at the Electoral Commission, said: “In May 151 local authorities in England, including all London boroughs, are holding elections so it’s vital people register before the deadline next week.

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

This is the first time the Commission has advertised on beer mats.

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 registered 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.

For more information, contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk

Out of office hours 07789 920414

Download images of beer mats.

Notes to editors

1. The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. It works to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:

• enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
• regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
• using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency

2. The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK and Scottish Parliaments.