THE PUBLIC are being urged to register to vote in the May elections before time runs out.

Anyone who wants to vote in elections to the Cumberland Council Shadow Authority on May 5, must register by midnight on April 14.

This year, residents in Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle will vote to select councillors who will represent them on the new unitary authority, Cumberland Council.

Andrew Seekings Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for Allerdale Borough Council who is acting as the Returning Officer for the Cumberland Council elections, said: "With around a week to go, time is running out to make sure you can take part in the local elections.

"These elections are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and shape the future on the issues that directly affect day-to-day life in what will be the Cumberland Council area.

"In order to be able to vote, residents must be on the electoral register. So if you’re not registered by midnight on April 14, you won’t be able to take part."

Jason Gooding Carlisle City Council’s chief executive is the Electoral Registration Officer for the Carlisle City Council area, with Copeland Borough Council’s chief executive Pat Graham the ERO for the Copeland area.

Voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. 

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on April 19, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on April 26.  

In the areas currently covered by Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland councils 46 councillors will be elected in new Cumberland wards. The ward boundaries follow those currently in place for seats on Cumbria County Council. 

These councillors will be elected for a five-year term of office, the first year on a Cumberland ‘Shadow Authority’ that will oversee the planning and preparation for the new unitary council, followed by four years on Cumberland Council, which will ‘go live’ in April 2023. 

The existing county, borough and district councils will continue to operate and deliver all current services until Vesting Day for the new authority on April 1 2023. 

For more information, visit: www.cumberland.gov.uk