Register to vote in the EU Referendum

Register to vote in the EU Referendum

The referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union is on Thursday 23 June 2016. You need to register to vote by 7 June, you can register here:

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

What is the referendum about?

A referendum asks you to vote on a question.

For this referendum the question is:

Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?

Can I vote in the EU Referendum?

You can vote in this referendum if you are registered to vote in the UK, are 18 or over on 23 June 2016 and are:

• A British or Irish citizen living in the UK, or
• A Commonwealth citizen living in the UK who has leave to remain in the UK or who does not require leave to remain in the UK
• A British citizen living overseas who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years
• An Irish citizen living overseas who was born in Northern Ireland and who has been registered to vote in Northern Ireland in the last 15 years

How do I register to vote?

If you want to have your say at the EU Referendum, you must be registered to vote.

In England, Scotland or Wales, you can register to vote online anytime at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

If you are a British citizen living abroad, you can register to vote online in the same way.

In Northern Ireland, visit the Register to vote in Northern Ireland page to download a registration form.

If you are an Irish citizen living abroad who was born in Northern Ireland, visit the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland websiteto download the correct form.

Do I need to re-register to vote in the EU Referendum?

Anyone who was already registered to vote (or recently registered) before the 18 April deadline for the elections taking place across the UK on 5 May will also be registered to vote at the EU Referendum and will be able to cast their vote. You do not need to re-register.

If your circumstances change, for example you move home between now and the EU Referendum registration deadline on 7 June, then you will need to re-register at your new property.

How do I check if I'm registered to vote?

Every local authority holds the electoral register for their area. There is no online electoral roll.

If you are not sure whether you are registered to vote, you should contact the Electoral Services Unit at Rochdale Town Hall. They will be able to let you know.

If you are a British or Irish citizen (who was born in Northern Ireland) living abroad, you will need to contact the local electoral registration office for the address you were last registered at in the UK.

How do I vote?

Once you are registered to vote, there are three ways you can vote in the EU Referendum.

1. At your polling station in person
You will receive a poll card telling you where your polling station is.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 23 June 2016.

2. By post
To apply to vote by post, you will need to complete a postal vote application form.
Once you have completed and signed your application form, send it to your local electoral registration office to arrive by 5pm on8 June 2016.

You will receive your ballot paper by post. A ballot paper can be sent overseas, but you need to think about whether you will have time to receive and return it so it arrives back by 10pm on 23 June 2016.

3. By proxy
Voting by proxy means allowing somebody you trust to vote on your behalf.
To apply to vote by proxy, you will need to complete a proxy vote application form.

Once you have completed and signed your application form, send it to your local electoral registration office to arrive by 5pm on 15 June 2016.

When you apply for a proxy vote you will need to state why you cannot vote in person. Your proxy must be registered to vote and eligible to vote in the referendum. Your proxy will vote on your behalf so you will need to tell them how you want to vote.