Key dates for the 2021 elections are on the horizon

People in Oxfordshire are being reminded that a number of key dates relating to the May 6, 2021 local elections are getting ever closer.

The deadlines for registering to vote and for a postal vote are now less than a fortnight away with the county council holding elections for all 63 seats and 61 divisions and one-third of Cherwell District Council seats also up for election. There is also a Police and Crime Commissioner election for the Thames Valley and elections at Oxford City Council and West Oxfordshire District Council.

Returning Officer for the Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections Yvonne Rees said: “If you are planning to vote by post or you believe you may not be registered to vote there is now less than a fortnight to sort those things out and ensure you can exercise your democratic right on May 6. Now is the time to act with Easter over and April well underway. The deadlines later in April will be here before we know it.”

What are the key dates?

• Monday, 19 April (at 11:59 pm) is the deadline for people to register to vote
• Tuesday, April 20 (no later than 5pm) is the deadline for receiving new postal vote applications for all these elections. You can apply for a postal vote here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote .

Meanwhile at the end of Friday, April 9 the list of candidates for the county council and district council elections will be available.

People are also being reminded that there are vacancies across Oxfordshire in paid roles such as poll clerks and presiding officers on election day. More detail can be found here for people who are interested in applying. https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/be-at-the-heart-of-local-democracy/