Why should I vote?
Decisions are made on your behalf every day, on schools, leisure facilities, healthcare, defence, environment, etc. If you don't vote, then you can't have your say on these issues.
Before you can vote your name will need to be added to the register of electors. This is the list of everyone who is registered to vote. Every year we deliver household enquiry forms to each house in Rossendale for residents to update and return. We then send individual registration forms to anyone not already registered for voting.
If you missed the annual registration form you can easily register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or email elections@rossendalebc.gov.uk or telephone 01706 252445.
The following people are eligible to be on the electoral register:
- Anyone aged 16 or over
- British or Commonwealth Citizens
- Citizens of the Republic of Ireland or other European Union (EU) countries
Why do I go on the Register if I can't vote yet?
You can go on the register from the age of 16, but you can't vote until you are 18. You are asked to register early so that if you turn 18 during the electoral year, you are already on the register and won't miss out on voting.
Once you have registered to vote you will be allocated to a polling station near you. If it is more convenient you can apply to vote by post or by proxy.
Postal voting is when your ballot paper is posted to your home instead of you going to a polling station. Anyone on the register of electors can apply to vote by post. You can apply to vote by post online here.
Proxy voting is when you appoint a person to vote for you. You can apply to vote by proxy if you are ill or disabled, or if you are away from home on Election Day. You must provide information about why you can't get to your polling station on your application form. You can apply to vote by proxy online here.
Remember: If you are not on the electoral register you will have no say in the selection of the people who represent you so register today at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
More information on voting and elections can also be found on the Electoral Commission's website