Registering to vote February 2016

Why do I need to register? Politics affects everything, from the food you eat to the streets you walk on, from the place you live to the air you breathe. Elections give you the chance to have your say about the things you care about and the issues that affect you. You need to be on the electoral register to vote in all UK elections and referendums. You are not automatically registered even if you pay Council Tax.

Individual Electoral Registration (IER) The way we register to vote changed in The new system means: You can now register to vote online Everyone has become responsible for registering themselves. You need to provide a few more details to register – including your National Insurance number and date of birth. This is to make the electoral register more secure. Anyone newly applying as a Service Voter in the UK must now register under the new system.

Who needs to register? You can register to vote if you are:  16 or over (but you cannot vote until you are 18). In Scotland separate provisions apply.  A British, Irish Republic or qualifying Commonwealth citizen  A Citizen of a European Union country living in the UK

Can 16 year olds vote in Scottish Elections? The voting age has been lowered to 16 for Scottish Parliament and local government elections in Scotland, however it remains 18 for UK Parliament and European Parliament elections. If you are 16 and over and in the armed forces or the spouse or registered civil partner of a member of the armed forces, registering as a service voter allows you to be registered for five years at a fixed address.

Scottish Elections A child aged 14 or over whose parent or guardian is a member of HM Forces is also eligible to register as a service voter. They must be living in Scotland or would be, if their parent or guardian were not based overseas. The declaration must be renewed every year and the registration will end when they are 18. From age 16 they can vote in Scottish Parliament and local elections, and from age 18 in UK Parliament or European Parliament elections.

I am a member of the Armed Forces. How do I register? If you are a member of the Armed Forces, or husband, wife or registered civil partner of a member of the Armed Forces, you can register either as a Service Voter or an ordinary voter. The way you choose to register depends on your personal circumstances.

Registering as a Service Voter This system allows you to be registered at a fixed address in the UK even if you move around, and is therefore recommended if you are, or will be, posted overseas or changing address frequently. It also means you only need to renew your registration every 5 years. Register to vote online or download a form from If you are living outside the UK, you need to decide whether or not you want to vote by post or by proxy (someone voting on your behalf.)

Registering as an ordinary voter If based in UK and unlikely to be posted overseas in the next year, you can register as an ordinary voter. Register to vote online or download a form from armed-forces. armed-forces

When do I need to register? You should register as soon as possible to ensure that you are eligible to vote – don’t wait until an election is called as they can be at short notice. You must renew your Service Voter registration every 5 years or you will lose your right to vote. You will receive a reminder letter from the Electoral Registration Office telling you when you need to do this. It is very important to inform your Electoral Registration Office when you move address or you will not receive a reminder or other important communications about your right to vote. You can find contact details for your Electoral Registration Office and download a Change of Circumstances form at or ask your Unit Registration Officer.

How do I vote? 1. In person When registered, you can choose one of three ways to vote. Choose the way you vote according to your location and personal circumstances. You can vote: 1.In person 2.By post 3.By proxy You can vote in person at your polling station if you are in the area where you are registered to vote in the UK on election day.

2. By post You can vote by post if you would like a ballot paper sent to you. Remember postal ballot papers may be sent out close to polling day. You will need to consider, particularly if your stationed overseas, whether you have time to receive, complete and return your postal vote before polling closes. So voting by post may not be the best way for you to vote – vote by proxy instead. The deadline for applying to vote by post is 5pm 11 working days before an election.

3. By proxy You can vote by proxy if you would like someone you know and trust to vote on your behalf. Your proxy can either vote for you at your polling station or by post. Deadline for applying to vote by proxy is 5pm 6 working days before an election. If service personnel have a proxy vote, once they are individually registered under IER, their proxy will also need to be individually registered.

To apply to vote by post or by proxy, fill in, sign and send an application form with your Service Voter declaration to the Electoral Registration Office in the area where you are registered. The forms are available from your Unit Registration Officer.

More information Any questions: contact your Unit Registration Officer. Read about registering to vote on the MOD’s internet at: viceCommunity/Registertovote.htm Your local authority Electoral Registration Officer in the area of your UK address will register your vote when you apply. For contact details, visit or speak to your Unit Registration Officer. Separate arrangements apply in Northern Ireland. For more information, visit or speak to your Unit Registration Officer.