With a week before polls open in the first ever West of England Combined Authority Mayoral Election, registered voters in Bristol are being reminded to have their say on 4 May.
Over 680,000 registered voters in the region will have the chance to choose their candidate to become the first Mayor of the West of England via postal votes or at polling stations when they open at 7am on 4 May.
The West of England devolution deal worth £1 billion brings powers and money from national Government with the ability to make local decisions about spatial planning for the region (including where new homes are planned and where investment in new services is needed to support their development), adult education and skills, employment and regional transport.
Stephen Hughes, Combined Authority Returning Officer for the West of England, said: “This is an historic election for the region and will see a Mayor of the West of England take office for the first time. I urge all eligible registered voters in the region to exercise their democratic right to vote and cast their ballot on 4 May.”
A booklet has been produced with useful information about the West of England Combined Authority, the mayoral election and the supplementary voting system, and statements from the candidates standing in this election. All registered voters have been sent a paper copy of this booklet as required by law*. An online version can be found at www.wevote.org.uk.
Polling stations will open at 7am on Thursday 4 May and close at 10pm. Voters are urged to check their poll cards for the address of their polling station and allow time to cast their vote.
British citizens, Commonwealth citizens and citizens of the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta who are registered to vote in the West of England Combined Authority Mayoral Election are also registered to vote in the UK Parliamentary General Election on 8th June. Residents who are not already registered to vote should visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to register online. The deadline to register to vote in the UK Parliamentary General Election on 8th June is midnight on 22nd May. It is now too late to register to vote in the West of England Mayoral election.