Elections

[karen2205]

Possibly a wee bit early for this, but you might as well have it while I remember. If you live in England, you're highly likely to have local elections on 4th May 2006. To be eligible to vote in those elections you must register by 13th March 2006. If you're not registered, or if you want to apply for a postal/proxy vote, go to http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/ to get the form. You will need to post the form - they're not englightened enough for fax/email submissions yet.

You are eligible to register if you are: a British Citizen, an Irish Citizen, a Citizen of a Commonwealth county or a Citizen of a European Union country. If you are a British Citizen living overseas there's a separate form to use.

Comments

[cultureofdoubt.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I need to check I'm registered.

[frodomorris.livejournal.com]

IMO it's about time they dropped the Irish Citizen part, especially as they're eligible through being EU Citizens. [could launch into an almost-related rant about Sinn Fein MPs refusing to take their seats but cannot be bothered]

[karen2205]

But EU Citizens are only eligible to vote in European elections. Irish Citizens are eligible to vote in all UK elections. Arguably yes, this could be dropped (though I disagree with that idea - it'd unnecessarily antagnoise the people it benefits), but there is a reason they're listed separately on the form.

[fluffymark]

British Citizens are EU Citizens too, so they could drop that part too, and say that for *council* elections, you need to be either EU or Commonwealth citizen. However, I believe you do need to be British or Irish to vote in *parliamentary* elections. My swedish girlfriend living here finds it bizarre that she can vote in local elections and European elections but NOT in national elections. What a wonderful system! :)

[dr-jen.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link and the reminder, I've been meaning to do that for ages.