In light of the municipal elections on 26 and 27 May, Rome's electoral office has announced that voters who need to renew full or lost voting cards can do so instantly at the anagrafe (registry office) of residency, without having to go to the central office in EUR.

This news applies to voters whose voting cards are used up (if all the boxes for recording votes are full), as well as to those whose cards are damaged, stolen or lost.

To renew your card just go to the relevant desk at your anagrafe, present your old voting card and a valid identification document. It is also possible to send an authorised person to collect the card on your behalf, with a written delegation on plain paper and an original document belonging to you, as well as their own identification.

In the case of lost or stolen cards, there is no longer any need to report this to the police or carabinieri, just report it at the local anagrafe, and follow the same criteria as above to receive your new card.

Meanwhile those registering for the first time can do so either at the central electoral office in EUR or at their anagrafe of residency.

The city's electoral office advises the public to renew cards sooner rather than later, to avoid the predicted last-minute rush towards the end of May.

The candidates in the race to become mayor of Rome are incumbent mayor and centre-right candidate Gianni Alemanno; the lawyer Marcello De Vito from the Movimento 5 Stelle; the entrepreneur and independent candidate Alfio Marchini; and the newly-elected PD candidate, Ignazio Marino for the centre-left.

For full details on renewing voting cards see the Comune di Roma website.

See also information for foreign residents