oday (Thursday 5 February) is National Voter Registration Day and Mansfield District Council is urging those who are not already registered to vote to go online now.

If you are eligible to register to vote and are not on the voters register you can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote – it only takes a few minutes.

You can also contact the electoral services department at Mansfield District Council on 01623 463345 for a paper application form.

Voters in Mansfield district will go to the polls to elect their Mayor, MP, Mansfield District Councillors and Warsop Parish Councillors on Thursday 7 May. The deadline to register to vote is 20 April.

Young people and students are among those less likely to be registered to vote. If you have turned 18 since the last elections, then ensure you are registered so you can take this opportunity to vote for the first time. Although you can’t vote until you are 18, you can register to vote from the age of 16.

Those particularly at risk of missing the chance to vote are people who have moved house recently, and who mistakenly assume they are automatically registered at their new address because they pay council tax. The two processes are completely separate.

Ruth Marlow, Managing Director of Mansfield District Council, said: “We are encouraging residents to register to vote so they can have their say on important issues that affect them. Registering to vote is much quicker and easier than you think.”

For further information about voting in the May elections visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/elections or call the elections team on 01623 463345.