Election frequently asked questions
Registering to vote
How can I find out if I am registered to vote?
Why should I register to vote?
Who can register to vote?
I am a student – where should I register to vote?
I have a second home. Can I register at both
addresses?
I have just moved, can I change my registration
address?
Ways to vote
How do I vote?
How do I arrange a postal vote?
How do I arrange a proxy vote?
How do I vote if I have a disability?
Elections, candidates and councillors
What happens if I live abroad?
What are the two versions of the electoral
register?
What types of elections are there?
How can I get information regarding candidates?
Who is my local MP/councillor and how can I contact
them?
Registering to vote
How can I find out
if I am registered to vote?
Contact the Electoral Services Office by:
-
telephoning (020) 8825 7777
-
emailing elections@ealing.gov.uk
-
visiting the Electoral Services Office, Ealing Town Hall, New Broadway, W5 2BY.
or
the Central Reference Library, 103 Ealing Broadway Centre (first floor), The Broadway, W5 5JY.
The full electoral register is a public document, but can only be inspected under supervision.
If you are not registered you will need to complete a registration form which the Electoral Services Office will post out to you at your home address.
Why should I register to vote?You can only vote in elections if your name is on the register of electors. Registration is not automatic and the voters list is separate from the list of council tax payers.
All households are required by law to complete and return the electoral registration form which is delivered to them each year. Everyone who is eligible does have a legal obligation to register to vote.
Who can register to vote?
To be eligible to have your name included in the register of electors you must be:
- over 16 (although you cannot vote until your eighteenth birthday)
- a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen
- a citizen of a European Union member state
I am a student – where should I register to vote?
Students can register to vote at both their home and term-time addresses if these are in different areas - however they must only vote once in the same election.
I have a second home. Can I
register at both addresses?
You are allowed to register at both addresses if
your homes are in different areas and you spend roughly an equal
amount of time at both places - but you can only vote
once in the same election.
I have just moved, can I change
my registration address?
Contact the electoral services office by telephone
or email and ask for a rolling registration form to register at
your new address. We publish updates to the register on the
first working day of each month between January and
September. We do not publish updates during the Autumn
months while the new register is being prepared.
It is not compulsory to transfer your registration to your new address. You may remain registered at your old address.
Ways to vote
How do I
vote?
You can either vote in person at your polling station or you may apply for a postal or proxy vote. Unless you have arranged for a postal or proxy vote you will be sent a poll card three to four weeks prior to an election. The poll card tells you when and where to vote and has a map showing you how to get to your polling station. This card is for information only. Do not worry if you lose or forget your poll card, you can still vote without it. At the polling station you must tell the clerk your name and address. If your name appears on the register you will be issued with your ballot paper(s).
How do I arrange a postal
vote?
You are now entitled to vote by post without giving
a reason. You need to complete a
postal vote application form or contact the
Electoral Services Office. If you have asked for a postal
vote you cannot vote at your polling station.
How do I arrange a proxy
vote?
Proxy votes can be arranged for a particular
election or permanently You need to complete a
proxy vote application form or contact the
Electoral Services Office. If you appoint a proxy, you
can still go to your polling station and personally cast your vote
provided that the proxy has not already voted on your
behalf.
How do I vote if I have a disability?
- there will be a large print version of the ballot paper at your polling station
- during an election there are a number of provisions in place for people with disabilities. These include a device called a selector, which enables blind or the partially sighted to vote unaided, ramps allowing full access to the polling station, special polling booths for wheelchair users and provisions for voters who are unable to vote without assistance. Please ask your presiding officer on election day for further information or contact the Electoral Services Office
- you can apply for a postal vote
Elections, candidates and councillors
What happens if I live abroad?
If you are a British citizen and you are living or working abroad you will be eligible to vote for a period of 15 years after the last year your name appeared in the electoral register. Please contact the electoral services office for an overseas electors application form.
Overseas electors can vote in parliamentary and European elections only, but not in local elections. You may appoint a person to vote on your behalf at the polling station or vote by post yourself.
What are the two versions of
the electoral register?
There are now two versions of the electoral
register, the full register and the edited register. The full
register shows the names and addresses of everyone who is entitled
to vote. It is also used for the prevention and detection of
crime and credit referencing.
The edited register is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. If you do not want your details shown on the edited register you must tell us by ticking the appropriate box on your electoral registration form.
What types of elections are there?
There are basically three different types of election:
- parliamentary elections (to the House of Commons and to the European Parliament)
- local government elections (to Ealing Council and for the London Mayor and the Greater London Assembly)
- referendums (at which you will be asked a specific question on a particular issue, usually a Yes/No vote )
In Ealing the borough council elections are held every four years. The next local elections will be held on 4 May 2006.
Parliamentary elections are held a maximum five years apart, the last was on 5 May 2005.
How can I get information regarding candidates?
The Electoral Services Office can only provide you with contact details. It is up to the candidates and the political parties to get their information to you. If you have not received any information you should contact them directly. We are not allowed to send you any information that may favour one candidate or party.
Who is my local MP/councillor and how can I contact them?
See local MPs and wards councillors for their surgeries or contact details.