Register to vote

Register to vote

Residents are being reminded to make sure they take the necessary steps to secure their vote for the upcoming local elections and EU referendum.

On Thursday 5 May 2016 voters in England go to the polls to elect the borough's councillors.

Registering now for the elections in May will also mean you are registered in good time before the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union, which takes place on 23 June 2016.

People are being asked to confirm their details online or by post before 18 April 2016, which means there is less than six weeks to make sure you are registered to vote.

Clare Poole, Rochdale Borough Council Elections Manager, said: "I can't stress enough how important it is to make sure you are on the electoral register. Time is now running out to make sure you can take part in these elections, so please take action now if you're not already registered to vote. Our message is simple - you can't vote, if you aren't registered by 18 April 2016. It's easy and only takes a few minutes online.

"The electoral register is used for credit checks and if you are not on the register you may find it harder to get a loan, mortgage, finance agreement or even mobile phone contract.

"Registering is a legal obligation but most importantly, if you aren't registered you won't be able to exercise your democratic rights at the ballot box."

Ben Brook, Head of the Electoral Commission, English Regions, added: "Our research shows that young people, students and recent home movers are less likely to be registered to vote. If you're not registered you won't be able to have your say on issues that directly affect your day-to-day life in Rochdale, Littleborough, Heywood and Middleton."

Whether you choose to use your vote or not is your own personal choice, but if you don't respond to the annual canvass request or provide false information on the form you may be liable to a fine of £1,000.

http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections/pages/register-to-vote.aspx