Step up and vote on 5 May - call to Royal Borough residents

Residents who want to have a say in how the Royal Borough is run in the future should make sure they cast their vote on Thursday 5 May.

That's the message from Returning Officer Ian Trenholm as the Council enters the final stages of preparation for the local government elections (both borough and parish councils) and also the national referendum that will decide on the voting system to elect MPs to the House of Commons.

He said: "After the elections on 5 May the Council will start a new four-year term and now is the time for residents to act if they want to influence how their local services are provided over that period. Irrespective of which political party, group or independent candidate they support, they have the opportunity to step up and make sure their vote counts.

"Millions of people across the world are fighting for the right to have a democratic vote - something we sometimes take for granted in this country. My message to Royal Borough residents is: Don't miss this opportunity to have your say."

Ian also urged people to have their say in the parliamentary voting system referendum: "This is a unique opportunity for everyone to tell the government how they want their votes to be counted in future parliamentary elections. Again, irrespective of which option you want to vote for or which political party you follow, it is really important to take part and say what you think."

Elections facts and figures in the Royal Borough
• 163 candidates will be bidding for 57 council seats.
• There will be an election in four parishes - Horton, Wraysbury, Cookham Rise ward in Cookham parish and Woodlands Park ward in White Waltham.
• Poll cards have been sent to more than 100,000 residents eligible to vote (100,000 in the referendum, 104,500 in the local elections and 8,000 in the parish council elections).
• 15,132 postal votes have been sent out for the borough council election and the referendum and 1,235 for the parish councils.
• 82 polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm, staffed by 233 trained presiding officers and poll clerks.
• The council elections count will be held in the Magnet Leisure Centre, Maidenhead, starting after polling stations close and with 100 staff working throughout the night.
• Results will be available on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk immediately after they are announced.

Elections help and advice
The Royal Borough's elections team has issued the following guidance to help local voters.
• You don't need your poll card to vote but it will help polling station staff on the day.
• If you don't have a poll card call the elections helpline on 01628 683868 before the day to ensure you are on the electoral register and eligible to vote.
• You cannot vote on anyone else's behalf unless you have been officially appointed as a proxy by the deadline of Thursday 21 April.
• If you can't get to the polling station on 5 May because of a medical emergency which has happened after 21 April you should contact the elections team and you may be able to appoint a proxy. This is the only reason for appointing a proxy after the 21 April deadline.
• Don't leave it to the last minute to vote as the doors close at 10pm promptly and even if you are in the station at that time you will not be able to vote unless you have already been issued with a ballot paper.
• If you don't get your postal vote into the post on time to reach us by polling day you can take your completed pack to your local polling station or to the Town Hall, Maidenhead, up to 10pm on polling day. Please make sure your vote is completed and sealed into the appropriate envelopes as we cannot accept the ballot papers on their own.
• You do not have to give any information to the party political party tellers on the door of polling stations if you do not want to.
• Staff in polling stations can help you with the voting process i.e.: reading the list of candidates if you have poor eyesight, helping with postal vote packs etc. However, they will not give any information on the issues candidates are standing for or manifesto pledges make by the political parties.

Referendum
• Every household will have received a nationally-distributed leaflet aimed at answering questions on what the referendum is about.
• Copies of the leaflet can be downloaded from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
• If you have any questions, please go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or call the national helpline on 0800 3 280 280.
• 60 staff will be involved in the referendum count on Friday 6 May in the Desborough Suite of the Town Hall, starting at 4pm.
• After the count our local referendum figures will be sent to the Regional Counting Officer who collates all the results for the south-east region. These will be forwarded to the Chief Counting Officer who is responsible for publishing the overall results. The Royal Borough's figures will be published as soon we are allowed to at www.rbwm.gov.uk

Further information is available on the council's website at www.rbwm.gov.uk or on the elections helpline 01628 683868.

Notes:
1. There are currently 104,458 registered electors in the Royal Borough (97,834 in 2007 when the last council elections were held).
2. In 2007 the number of votes counted was 42,188 with a turnout of 43.12%

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