Your vote is your voice!

That is the message East Cambridgeshire District Council is delivering to young people this spring.

Anyone aged 18 or over with UK citizenship is eligible to vote in the district elections which take place on 4 May.

Voting in local elections is your chance to vote for what is important to you.

By voting in district elections you are having your say on how money is spent in your local communities, what public transport support there is, how we look after our local environment and what infrastructure – such as doctors’ surgeries, youth facilities, cycle paths and job opportunities are provided.

This year – for the first time – everyone must also take along ID when they vote.

Step 1: Make sure you are registered to vote. If you register this can help with your credit score which can be important for things like buying a car, opening a bank account or getting a phone contract. Read more about this on the BBC website (external link).

Step 2: You must have voter ID. This can be your passport, driver’s licence (includes a provisional driver’s licence) or an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card).  If you do not have a passport or another form of acceptable ID (external link) you need to apply for free Voter Authority Certificate before 25 April or you can register for a postal vote (external link) before 18 April.

Step 3: Choose your candidate. You can find out what is important to local candidates by looking on their websites, reading literature which will be put through your door or speaking to them directly.

May 4: Your vote is your voice! Take your polling card and your voter ID to your polling station and cast your vote.

Stephanie Jones, Youth Liaison Officer for East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Whether you are interested in the environment, sustainable transport – like cycle ways and bus routes, skills and workplace opportunities or how to get on the housing ladder – Local Government makes important decisions about your future – so it is important to have your say too.

“Registering to vote can also help with things like your credit score which you need for things like bank accounts, loans and mobile phones.”

Find out more about voting on East Cambridgeshire District Council’s website

To find out about other ways in which you can have your say and get involved in your local area, please visit the Council’s Youth Webpages