Are you ready? It is almost time to vote. The local elections 2018 are almost here and, in the meantime, here is all you need to know to get yourself prepared for the big day on Thursday, 3 May.

You can view a list of candidates standing in the elections on the council’s website.

Then it is up to you to decide who to select and cast your vote – either by post, by proxy, or at your polling station on 3 May 2018.

POLLING STATIONS

Everyone on the electoral register should receive a polling card by Royal Mail in early April. This will tell you where your polling station is. The borough has 162 of them so it is important to know which one you are meant to go to.

You can also find your polling station online at www.ealing.gov.uk/elections2018

ARE YOU REGISTERED?

If you have moved address in the last year or changed your details, make sure you are registered to vote.

If you have not already done so, you must register by 17 April 2018. Being registered to vote does not mean you have to vote, it just gives you the option to do so if you decide you would like to. If you are unsure whether you are already registered, you can contact the electoral services team.

Unless you are registered, you cannot vote and you will miss a critical opportunity to have your say on what happens where you live and the services on offer in your community.

If you want to vote but will be away or unable to get to your polling station, you can make an application to vote by post (apply by 5pm on 18 April) or by proxy (apply by 5pm on 25 April).

MORE INFORMATION

• Contact the electoral services team 8.30am-5pm (Monday-Friday) on 020 8825 7777
• Email elections@ealing.gov.uk
• Visit www.ealing.gov.uk/elections2018

There are plenty of reasons to vote

When you vote on 3 May 2018, you will decide who is elected on to Ealing Council.

You will be able to choose up to three candidates, from a list, to represent the ward you live in. Once the votes have been counted, the three candidates who have received the most votes for each ward will be elected to serve on the council for four years and make decisions about where you live and the services you receive.

There are 69 councillors who represent the borough’s 23 wards – with three councillors in each ward.

WHY VOTE?

Ealing Council’s priorities, and budgets, are set by its councillors, and most of its big decisions are made by them.

The council is responsible for providing hundreds of services to local residents and businesses – everything from maintaining the roads to recycling, from schools to food hygiene inspections, and from sports centres to libraries.

Your vote is the only way you can influence who those councillors are.

The elected councillors will make decisions on your behalf. They will sit on council committees, debating and deciding local issues including public health, education and planning applications and even scrutinising how the council is delivering its services.

MORE INFORMATION

Visit www.ealing.gov.uk/elections2018 to find out more information on the current make-up of the 69 councillors on Ealing Council, and their roles, and to check who your local ward councillors are.

For more information on how local authorities work, visit www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works