Voters are being reminded of how to vote in upcoming European Parliament and local elections.

Ballot papers have been sent out to postal voters for local council elections taking place next Thursday (May 2).

In local elections, 20 wards on St Albans District Council will be contested, including an additional seat in the Sopwell ward.

The council’s electoral registration officer Mike Lovelady added: “I would ask postal voters to keen an eye out for the packs which are being delivered to them.

“They should follow the instructions that include putting their date of birth and signature on the postal voting statement.

“This statement is kept separately from the ballot paper, so their vote is always kept secret.”

Finished ballot papers and postal vote statements should be placed in the pre-paid addressed envelope and returned to the council by 10pm on election day.

EU Nationals living in the St Albans District are also being told about how to secure their vote for elections next month to the European Parliament.

The elections will take place May 23 and to be eligible to vote in the UK, European Nationals must complete the UC1 parliament voter registration form by midnight at May 7.

The council have sent these forms to 5,000 EU citizens on the St Alban’s electoral register and by filling in these forms they are agreeing to vote in the UK only and not in their own country.

The council’s electoral registration officer Mike Lovelady said: “We are preparing for European Parliamentary elections on the 23rd of May.

“I would point out that EU citizens living in the District must complete a UC1 form by the 7th of May in the UK even if they are on the electoral register.”

British citizens also have until May 7 to register to vote for EU elections to register visit www.gov.uk/registertovote.

Poll cards will be sent out from April 25 and postal votes will be dispatched on May 8.

Those taking part in either elections and who are unable to attend can register to vote by proxy at www.yourvotematters.co.uk.

The proxy application deadline is April 24 at 5pm, the deadline for European elections is 5pm May 8. The deadline to vote by proxy for the EU election is 5pm on May 15.

Alternatively, residents partaking in either elections can request a paper form by contacting 01727 819294 or by contacting elections@stalbans.gov.uk.

For more information go to www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/.