Remember to register!

1.21.43pm GMT Tue 28th Feb 2006

Don't lose your vote!

Voters in the West Midlands have until 13 March - just three weeks - to register so that they can vote in the local council elections on 4 May 2006.

Names can be added later to the electoral register on a monthly basis but anyone not registered to vote by 13 March will not be able to vote in the 4 May local elections. An online electoral registration form can be downloaded from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Peter Wardle, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, said, "Many people assume that they'll be automatically registered, but that isn't the case. So if you haven't already received and returned a registration form from your local council, download one at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Tracey O'Brien West Midland Liberal Democrat Chair said "Politics affects every aspect of our lives, from rubbish collection and road safety to education and care for the elderly. We want to remind people in Wolverhampton that they must be registered by 13 March so they don't lose their right to vote."

A recent report by the Electoral Commission found that up to 3.7 million people in England and Wales, between 8-9% of the eligible population, did not register to vote in 2000.

You can find out more about elections in your area by going to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or by contacting your local council to check whether you are registered.