A Parliamentary General Election has been called for Thursday 12th December 2019.
Here is what you need to know in order to vote in the Burton Constituency.
Who is eligible to vote?
To vote in a general election you must be registered to vote and 18 or above on polling day.
You must be a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or a Commonwealth citizen who meets certain eligibility criteria. You must live in the UK, or be a British citizen abroad who has been registered to vote in the last 15 years.
How do I register?
Registering to vote is easy – you can now do it online! It takes about 5 minutes. In order to vote on the 12th December you must be registered by 26th November.
- Go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
- Fill in your name, address, date of birth and a few other details. You’ll also need your National Insurance number, which can be found on your National Insurance card, or in official paperwork such as payslips, or letters about benefits or tax credits.
- Look out for confirmation from your local registration staff to say you’re registered.
Students can vote using their university or home address. It is legal to be registered in two areas, but a criminal offence to vote in both.
If you’ve recently completed and returned a Household Enquiry Form to register to vote you may not be fully registered. You need to complete the process by going online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You’ll need your date of birth & NI number to complete your registration.
Do I need my polling card to vote?
After registering to vote, we will send you a polling card. That includes details of your polling station and when you can vote.
You don't need to take this polling card with you to vote. Tell the polling clerks your name and address, and they will issue your ballot paper.
Are you away when it’s the Election?
If you’re not going to be able to get to your polling station for the General Election you can apply for a postal or proxy vote.
Postal Vote
You can apply to vote by post for a particular election, for a set period of time or for all future elections. But you must be registered to vote first. Postal votes can be sent out to addresses in the UK and abroad. If you require a postal vote for the December General Election you must complete the application by 5pm on 26th November.
How to apply to vote by post:
- Visit www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/elections and download the postal vote application form or phone the number below for a form to be sent to you;
- Fill in the form and sign it;
- Return it to the Elections, ESBC, PO Box 8045, Burton upon Trent, DE14 9JG.
- During election periods the form must be returned 11 working days before the election
Allow enough time when applying so you can receive your ballot paper and return it by Election Day.
Proxy Votes
You can also apply to vote by proxy if you are unable to go to the polling station on Election Day. If you require a postal vote for the December General Election you must complete the application by 5pm on 4th December.
A proxy is someone who will go to the polling station and vote with your authority on your behalf. A proxy can only be used if special reasons apply as set out below:
- Long-term illness or disability (for example, difficulty in walking) Registered blind or partially slighted
- Receive a disability living allowance (higher rate)
- If the address at which you are registered as an elector is a residential care home or sheltered housing
- Your job, or that of your spouse, may take you away from home for long periods at a time (e.g. travelling salesman, long distance lorry driver)
- You or your spouse may be students attending a course away from home
If you do choose a proxy to vote for you, remember that he or she will have to go to your usual polling station to vote on your behalf.
Visit www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/elections and download the Proxy Vote Application form.