Have your Say Register to Vote

Bedford Borough Council is encouraging any local residents not already registered to vote, to register before local elections on 2 May this year.

There are fewer than 100 days until Bedford Borough voters go to the polls to elect the Mayor of Bedford Borough, Borough Councillors and Town and Parish Councillors. Anyone not registered can do so at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

On 2 May 2019 elections will be taking place across Bedford Borough. Elections will be held for the Mayor of Bedford Borough, along with elections of all Borough Councillors. All Parish and Town Councils will also hold elections on 2 May. The deadline to register to vote and have your say is 12th April. For anyone who is away or wishes to receive a postal vote the deadline for applications is the 15th April.

Philip Simpkins, Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council, said "I'd urge anyone who is not registered to vote already to do so as soon as possible, so they can have their say at this year's elections. It is quick and easy to register online."

Information on the elections and links to the election timetable, applications to register to vote and to change your current voting arrangements, are all available at www.bedford.gov.uk/elections2019

Information on Elections:

Mayoral Elections

Bedford Borough Council is one of only 16 Councils in the country (outside of London and the 'metro-mayors') to have a Directly Elected Mayor. Mayoral elections in the UK use the Supplementary Vote (SV) system. Under SV, voters can select their first and second preference out of the list of candidates.

Borough Council Elections

Bedford Borough Council has 40 elected Borough Councillors each representing 1 of 27 Wards within the Bedford Borough Area. Electors vote for the candidates who are standing for the ward they are registered within.

Parish and Town Council Elections

Parish Council elections are held every 4 years, and coincide with both the Mayoral and Borough Council Elections. Parish Council's primarily comprise of the villages in the area, but can also be large or urban areas such as Brickhill or Kempston Town.