Each year nearly a quarter of young people who should be included on the electoral register for the first time are left off. This means they can’t vote when there is an election.
The following information explains how to ensure you are on the electoral register so that you don’t lose your right to vote.
Why should I vote?
This country is a democracy. Every day, Members of Parliament and local councillors, who are elected by the people, take vital decisions affecting all our lives. And you can help choose who these elected people are.
Make sure you have your say - by using your right to vote. If you don’t, you will lose your chance to influence the way things are run in this country. All votes are equal - your vote is as important as anyone else’s.
Can anyone vote?
No. You have to be 18 or over. You must also be:
- A British citizen; or
- A citizen of another Commonwealth country; or
- A citizen of the Republic of Ireland; or
- For certain elections, a citizen of another European Union country.
Your name must be included on the register of electors, otherwise you can’t vote.
How do I get on the register?
That’s easy. Each year, at the end of the summer, the Electoral Registration Officer (whose job it is to compile the register) sends the electoral registration form to every household in the area.
If your household has not received the form by the middle of September contact the council's Electoral Services Unit at Pittwood House, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1AB, telephone 01724 296245; fax 01724 296066 or e-mail anthia.taylor@northlincs.gov.uk or sandra.donaldson@northlincs.gov.uk. The registration form has to be filled in by a member of the householders.
If you are a citizen of another European Union country, you should make sure that the person who completes the form includes your name on the form. This will ensure you are registered to vote in local government elections.
If you want to register to vote in European Parliamentary elections in the UK, ask the council's Electoral Services unit for a separate application form.
Remember:
- If you live in a hostel the people who run it should fill in the form.
- If you are a lodger at someone’s house, the owner of the house should fill it in.
- If you live in a flat with friends, one person should take responsibility for filling in the form.
- If you live on your own, in a bedsit for example, you should fill in the form.
If you are not registered you can download an electoral registration application form (ER3) or you can get one from the council's Electoral Services unit.
Make sure your name is included
The registration form explains which people are allowed to vote so that the householder can list their names. All 16 and 17 year olds should be included. This is because they may reach the age of 18 (and become eligible to vote in the next elections) while the register is still being used.
What happens when the registration form has been completed?
It should be returned to the council's Electoral Services unit at Pittwood House as soon as possible. If a householder doesn’t complete and return the registration form, a fine of £1000 may have to be paid. The same applies if the householder gives false information or deliberately leaves something out.
When the forms are returned the Electoral Registration officer will use them to compile a new register for people to check. This will be published on 1 December. You can inspect a copy at the Central Library or at Pittwood House.
How do I vote?
If your name is on the register of electors, and you are aged 18 or over, you should get a poll card about two weeks’ before an election. This will tell you how, when and where to vote. Venues usually include local school, village hall or community building. Polling is just another word for voting. And the polling card is for information only. Don’t worry if you lose if or forget it - you can still vote without it. However it just makes it easier for the clark if you take it to the polling station with you. Once you arruve the clark will give you a ballot paper which includes an official mark.
The ballot paper will say how many candidates you can vote for. (In local elections you may have more than one vote; in parliamentary elections you will have only one vote).
Take the ballot paper to one of the polling booths and put a cross in the box next to the name of the candidate(s) you want to support.
Do not write anything else on the ballot paper, otherwise your vote might not count. Once you have voted you must fold the ballot paper to hide your vote. Then show your folded ballot paper to the clerk before you put it in the sealed ballot box. You don’t have to tell anyone who you voted for.
Make your voice heard.
