Your vote matters
An activity pack for people who work in social housing and homelessness services
to provide tenants and clients with the
national politics and put their interests centre stage.
© Crown copyright, 2015. This resource is not covered by the Open Government Licence. For permission to reproduce the content please contact: [email protected]
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Your Vote Matters Contents
Your Vote Matters poster 4• Printthisouttoadvertiseyoursession
What is Your Vote Matters? 5• What’stheissueandwhydoesitmatter?• Howdoesthispackhelp?• Whoisthispackfor?• HowdoIuseit?• Whatnow?
Activity 1 Who gets to be a local councillor? 7• Whosetstheagendaandwhogetselected?• StepsPickyourpoliciesworksheetPickyourpoliciesresultsworksheet
Activity 2 Creating community action 10• Howtomakeyourvoiceheard• StepsLocalvNationalissuesworksheetLocalvNationalissuesresultsworksheetCreatingcommunityactionworksheet
Activity 3 Make friends and influence politicians 14• Becomealocalcampaigner• StepsInfluencebuilderworksheet 1Influencebuilderworksheet 2Keycontactsfactsheet
Voter registration factsheet 18Registration deadlines 19Registertovote
Your Vote Matters Champion’s evaluation form 22Your Vote Matters Participant evaluation form 23
You don’t need a fixed address to register to vote.
Registering to vote gives you a voice to make a difference, but also brings a wide range of benefits, such as helping
with your credit rating.
Where
When
What to bring
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What is Your Vote Matters?
The Your Vote Matters pack has been developed by Hansard Society and Homeless Link, in partnership with the Cabinet Office, to promote voter registration amongst social housing tenants and people in homelessness services.
Why does voter registration matter?Lowerlevelsofregistrationamongstsocial housingtenantsandpeopleinhomelessnessservicesmeansthatthosewhoarenotregisteredmaynothavetheirvoicesheardbythoseinpower.
Beingregisteredgivessocialhousingtenants andpeopleinhomelessnessservicesasayon theissuesthataffecttheireverydaylives,whetherit’shousing,localschoolsorbincollections.Ifanissuecomesupthat theycareaboutandwanttohaveasayon,ifthey’renotregisteredtheywon’thave avoicewhenitreallymatters.
Beingontheelectoralregisterisoneofthekeychecksthatismadeinanyapplicationforpersonalcredit–forexample,foracreditcardoramobilephonecontract.
Onlineregistrationhasmadetheprocessofregisteringtovotemoreconvenientforelectors,especiallythosewhoarefrequenthome-moversandsocialhousingtenants.It is quick and easy and takes less than 5 minutes.
Youcanregisteronlineat: www.gov.uk/registertovote
How does this pack help?
YourVoteMattersprovidessocialhousingtenantsandpeopleinhomelessnessserviceswiththeknowledgeandskillstheyneedtorealisethepowertheyhavetoinfluencelocalandnationalpoliticsandtoputtheirinterestscentrestage.
Who voted in the 2017 General Election?
Peo
ple
wh
o o
wn
th
eir
ow
n h
om
e
73% voted 60% voted
Peo
ple
in s
oc
ial h
ous
ing
Source: General Election 2017: Results and Analysis - House of Commons Library
High levelsof contact with local authority
Social tenants and politics
Lower levels of interest or knowledge of politics
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How do I use it?Your Vote Mattersprovidesbackgroundinformationandactivities,aswellasfactsheetsthataredesignedtobecopiedandkeptbyparticipants.Alltheactivitiescanstandalone orberunsequentiallyintheorderyoufeelbestfitswithyourgroup.
Eachactivitysuggestsalikelyrunningtime, hasself-containedresources,aimsandastep- by-stepguide.
Thepackissplitintofourparts:
1 Activity1–Who gets to be a local councillor?
Explainstheconnectionbetweenvoterregistrationandthoseelected–Page7
2 Activity2–Creating community action
Exploreshowpeoplecaninfluencethewayservicesarerun–Page10
3 Activity3–Make friends and influence politiciansExploreshowtotakethefirststepstowardsbuildingalocalcampaign– Page14
4 Nextstepsresources:
• Voter registration factsheet
• Key contacts factsheet
• Access to the onlineregistration page:www.gov.uk/registertovote or
• Voter registration form(if you don't have internetaccess)
What now?• Getstuckintotheactivitiesoverthepageandsharephotos,videosandquotesonTwitterusingthehashtag#RegisterToVote
• Makesureyoupostanyregistrationformstoyourlocalcouncil’selectoralservicesteamingoodtime.ForregistrationdeadlinesseetheRegistration factsheet (page18).
What is Your Vote Matters?
Who is this pack for?This pack is aimed at those working in social housing or homelessness services, their tenants or clients. It provides all you need to run a workshop as a 'champion', with fun and engaging activities to explain different aspects of democratic engagement.
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Activity 1 Who gets to be a local councillor?
Who sets the agenda and who gets elected?Aim: Todemonstratetheimportanceofbeingregisteredandhowthismakesitpossibletoinfluencethepoliticaldecisionsthataffectyoureverydaylife.
Time: 15-20minutes
What you need:
• EnsurethatallparticipantsbringalongtheirNationalInsurancenumber
• PhotocopiesofPick your policies worksheet– onepergroup
• PhotocopyofPick your policies results sheet– oneforyou
• PhotocopiesoftheVoter registration form (atthe back of the pack)– oneeach (if you don't have internet access)
• PensOptional:
• PhotocopiesoftheVoter registration factsheet– oneeach
• PhotocopiesoftheKey contacts factsheet– oneeach
Steps1 Askthegrouptoputtheirhandsupiftheyare
registeredtovoteoriftheyhaveevervoted.Discusswiththegroup:• Howtheyfeelaboutvotingandiftheythinkit’simportanttovote.
• Whatdotheythinkmightbetheconsequencesofnotvotingtoindividualsandgroups?
2 SplitthegroupintosmallteamsanddistributethePick your policies worksheet. Explainthateachgroupisgoingtoputthemselvesintheshoesof apoliticianstandinginalocalelection.Eachgroupneedstoselectthefourpoliciestheythinkaremostimportantforthelocalareabyputtingacrossin theboxatthetopofthecards(5mins).
3 UsingPick your policies results sheetannouncethe“popularitypoints”(howpopulartheissuewouldbeamongstalllocalpeople)foreachpolicy.Each
groupshouldmakeanoteoftheirpopularityscoresintheboxontheleftofeachofthepolicycards. Askallthosethatgotover100popularitypointsacrosstheirfourpoliciestoraisetheirhands.
4 Nowannouncethe“votingpoints”forallthepoliciesandaskparticipantstomakeanoteoftheirscoreintheboxontherightofeachofthepolicycards.ExplainthatthevotingpointsrepresentthenumberoflocalpeoplewhosupportthepolicyANDareregistered tovotesocaninfluencewhichpoliticiangetselected.Askallthosethatgotover100votingpointstoraisetheirhands.
5 Discusswiththegroupstheiropinionsabouttheresult.Some ideas:• Whogotmorethan100popularitypointsbutfewerthan100votingpoints?• Whatcanpeopledotomakesurethattheirfavouredpolicieshaveabetterchanceofbeingheardbypoliticians?
6 UsetheKey Facts fromthePick your policies result worksheettoexplainthatwhilstthepopularitypointsandvotingpointsarefictitious,theybroadlyreflectthecurrentsituationintheUK.Thisactivityillustrateshowonlyregisteredvoterscanhavetheirsayandareabletovoteinelections.Discusswhateffectthisismayhaveonhowpoliciesaredeveloped.
7 Askparticipantstoregistertovoteonlineat:www.gov.uk/registertovote.Ifyoudonothaveinternetaccesspleaseaskthemtofill out aVoterregistrationform.
8 Collectupvoterregistration formsandsendthemtotherelevantlocalcouncilofficesfortheattention of“ElectoralRegistrationOfficer”.Don’tforgettotelltheDemocraticEngagementTeamattheCabinetOfficehowmanypeopleyouregisteratthesessionbyemailing: [email protected]. Wewelcomeyourfeedbacksopleasefillintherelevantevaluationformsonpages22and23 andsenditto: [email protected]. sothatwecanhear yourviews.
Optional:9 GiveeachparticipantacopyoftheKey contacts
and Voter registration factsheettotakeaway(onpage18).
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Pick your policies worksheet
Policy 1Freetravelforallover65sinthearea.
Policy 5Anewsocialhousingdevelopmenttorelievelocalovercrowding.
Policy 2Plantinganewcommunitygardeninthelargestsocialhousingestateinthearea.
Policy 6Freechildcareforthepoorest10%inthearea.
Policy 3Openanewhostelforpeoplesleepingroughinthelocalarea.
Policy 7Removingallparkingchargesandpermitsinthearea.
Policy 4Acounciltaxfreezeuntilthenextelection.
Policy 8Freetraveltocollegeforall16-17yearoldsinthearea.
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Policy 6Freechildcareforthepoorest10%inthearea.
Popularity 20 Voting 5
Policy 2Plantinganewcommunitygardeninthelargestsocialhousingestateinthearea.
Popularity 15 Voting 4
Policy 3Openanewhostelforpeoplesleepingroughinthelocalarea.
Popularity 18 Voting 8
Policy 4Acounciltaxfreezeuntilthenextelection.
Popularity 65 Voting 50
Popularity pointsrepresentthenumberofpeoplethatsupport thepolicy.(Theaimistoget over100points).
Voting pointsillustratesthenumberofpeoplethatsupportthepolicyANDwhoare registeredtovote.
Pick your policies results worksheet
Policy 1Freetravelforallover65sinthearea.
Popularity 40 Voting 38
Policy 5Anewsocialhousingdevelopmenttorelievelocalovercrowding.
Popularity 30 Voting 8
Policy 7Removingallparkingchargesandpermitsinthearea.
Popularity 50 Voting 30
Policy 8Freetraveltocollegeforall16-17yearoldsinthearea.
Popularity 15 Voting 8
Source: General Election 2017: Results and Analysis - House of Commons Library
73% 64%60% 72%65% 73% 73% 61%
Peo
ple
who
ow
n th
eir
ow
n ho
me
Peo
ple
in s
oc
ial h
ous
ing
Peo
ple
in p
riva
te re
nta
l ho
usin
g
Housing tenure Age Social Class
The percentage of eligible voters that voted (overall)
18 – 24 45 – 54 A&B(most well off)
(72% mortgaged)
(least well off)D&E65+
69%
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How to make your voice heardAim: Toexplorethedifferingrolesof councillorsandMPs,howtocontactthemtotryandresolveaproblem,raiseanissueofconcern,proposesomecommunityinitiativeorinitiatesomepositivesocialaction.
Time: 15-20minutes
What you need:• EnsurethatallparticipantsbringalongtheirNationalInsurancenumber
• PhotocopiesoftheLocal vs National issuessheet– oneforeachgroup
• PhotocopyoftheLocal vs National results sheet– oneforyou
• PhotocopiesoftheCreating community actionworksheet–oneeachoronepergroup
• PhotocopiesoftheVoter registration form(at the back of the pack)– oneeach (if you don't have access to the
internet)• Pens
Optional:• PhotocopiesoftheKey contacts factsheet– oneeach
• PhotocopiesoftheVoter registration factsheet– oneeach
Steps1 Explainthatthepurposeofthisactivity is to explore:
• WhatMPsandcouncillorshaveresponsibilityfor• Howtocontactthem• Whattheycandoforyou• Whattodoifyour your problem doesn’t get resolved. Remember campaigning isn’t just for huge organisations.
2 Dividethegroupintoteamsandaskthemtocircle
LocalorNationaloneachoftheissuesonthe Local vs National issues sheet.‘National’istheresponsibilityofParliamentandMPsand‘Local’istheresponsibilityofthelocalcouncilandcouncillors.
3 Askthegroupiftheyhaveexperienced aproblem with any of these issues on the sheet.
withanyoftheissuesonthesheet.Didtheycomplain
Did they complain aboutthesethingstoaneighbourorfriend?HowmanycontactedtheirlocalMPsorcouncillors?Didtheygettheresponsetheywanted?ExplainthatthenexttaskwillexplorehowtoseektoinfluencebothlocalMPsandlocalcouncillors.
4 DistributetheCreating community action worksheet andaskeachgrouptofilloutthesheetusinganissuefromthepreviousexercise,onetheythinkofthemselvesorthescenariobelow.(10mins)
SCENARIO: In the last six months there has been a sharp increase in the amount of anti-social behaviour in your local area. Loud motorbikes are being driven up and down streets and around housing estates at all hours of the night.
5 Askeachgrouptofeedbackabouttheissuetheychose,whattheywantdoneandwhattheywouldaskoftheirlocalrepresentatives.Points to consider:• Howcouldpeoplestrengthentheircampaign?• WhatwouldmaketheMPorcouncillortakenotice?• Howcouldyougeneratesupportforyourcampaign?Forexample:- Start apetition- Contactthelocalpress
6 ConcludethesessionbyremindingthegroupthatMPsandcouncillorsonlyholdtheirpositionsbecausepeopleregisteredtovoteandelectedthem.CampaigningisagreatwaytoimprovethingsbetweenelectionsbutregisteringtovoteandvotingcomeElectionDayistheonlywaytoensurepeoplewhoaremorelikelytocareaboutyourcauseareinpower.
7 Askparticipantstoregistertovoteonlineat:www.gov.uk/registertovote.Ifyoudonothaveinternetaccesspleaseaskthemtofillout a copy of theVoterregistrationformatthebackofthepack.
8 CollectupVoterregistrationformsandsendthemtotherelevantlocalcouncilofficesfortheattentionof“ElectoralRegistrationOfficer”.Don’tforgettotelltheDemocraticEngagementTeamattheCabinetOfficehowmanyformsyoucollectedbyemailing:DemocraticEngagement@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.Wewelcomeyourfeedbacksopleasefillintherelevantevaluationformsonpages22and23andsendittoDemocraticEngagement@cabinetoffice.gov.uksothatwecanhear yourviews.
Optional:9 Giveeachparticipantacopyofthe Key contactsand
Voter registration factsheet totakeaway(onpage18).
Activity 2 Creating community action
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Welfare benefit levels Income tax
Council tax Housing allocation
Bin collection Local park maintenance
Consumer rights Planning for new housing
Car tax Sport/Leisure facilities
Fixing potholes in roads Pensions
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
National
National
National
National
National
National
National
National
National
National
National
National
Local v National issues worksheet
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Local v National issues results worksheet
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
National
National
National
National
National
Welfare benefit levels Income tax
Council tax Housing allocation
Bin collection Local park maintenance
Consumer rights Planning for new housing
Car tax Sport/Leisure facilities
Fixing potholes in roads Pensions
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• Putideasforwardtotherestofthecounciltoimprovethingsinyourarea• Putyouincontactwithsomeonewhocanhelp• Contactoutsideorganisationstotryandinfluencetheme.g.police,NHS,media• ContactthelocalMP.
• AskaquestionoftheGovernment• Contactotherrelevantorganisationstoengagetheirhelpandsupport,forexamplepolice,NHS,media
• Contactthelocalcouncil.
MeetManylocalcouncillorshold“surgeries”inthe localareawhereyoucanmeettheminpersontodiscussanyproblemsor ideas youhave.
ContactYoucanfindcontactdetailsforyourlocalcouncilloronthecouncilwebsiteor www.theyworkforyou.comoryoucanwritetothemviawww.writetothem.com
MeetMostMPsalsoholdregular“surgeries”intheirlocalarea.TofindoutwhoyourMPisandwhentheirsurgeryishelduse: www.theyworkforyou.com
ContactYoucancontactyourMPbyemailingorwritingtothemattheaddressesprovidedbythe websiteabove.
Local Council Localcouncillorsrepresentdifferent wards/areasonthecouncilandhavelocaldecision-makingresponsibility.
Start here
ParliamentYourlocalMPrepresentsyourarea(constituency)inParliament.TheycanraiseissuesintheHouseofCommonsandassistyoulocallywithanyproblemsandconcerns.
What do I write/talk to them about?Thissectionistohelpyoutoconsiderhowyouwouldliketoraisetheissueyoucareaboutwiththerelevantpeople.Usethequestions belowtodescribewhattheproblemisandwhatyouwantdoneaboutit:• Whatisyourissue?• Whoelseisaffectedandhow?• Howwouldyoulikeitsolved?• WhatdoyouwanttheMP/Councillortodo?
(usetheideasfromabove)• Whataretheconsequencesofnottakingaction?
Contact details for representatives can be found on page 17.
What happens next?YoushouldreceiveadirectresponsefromtheMP orCouncillorbuttheyreceivelotsofcorrespondencefromlocalpeopleeveryday.Thebestwaytoget yourissuenoticedandacteduponistodemonstratehowmuchsupportthereisforyourcampaignfromthelocalpeopletheyrepresent:Remember• Be patient but persistent• Be clear• Generate support locally• Be polite–youmaynotgettheansweryouwant
immediatelybutifyoucanbuildarelationshipwithyourlocalMP/councilloryou’reonestepclosertorecruitinganally!
Who has responsibility?
How do I contact them?
What can they do?
Creating community action worksheet
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Activity 3 Make friends and influence politicians
Become a local campaignerAim: Todemonstratehowtobuildsupportfor acampaignsoithasthegreatestchanceofinfluencingpoliticians,the local counciland theGovernment.Time: 15minutes
Facilitator notes:
• Acampaigning scenarioisprovidedbelowbutyoucanaskparticipantstocomeupwiththeirowncampaign
• IfyouareshortontimeyoumaywishtoskipStep5
• IfyouhavealreadyruntheCreating communityaction activityyoucanusetheworkstartedthereforthisactivity
You will need:
• EnsurethatallparticipantsbringtheirNationalInsurancenumberwiththem
• PhotocopiesofInfluence builder worksheetcutupintothedifferentcards–onepergroup
• PhotocopiesoftheKey contacts factsheet– oneeach
• Accesstotheinternetusingatablet,computerorsmartphone
• PhotocopiesoftheVoter registration factsheet– oneeach• Pens
Steps1 Askthegrouptonameanycampaignstheyare
awareof,eithernationalorlocal.(Forexample,acampaignthatrecruitedvolunteerstokeeptheirlocalshopopen,helpedtoimprovelocalbusfacilitiesorimproverecyclingarrangements).
2 Askthegroupwhattheythinkmakesaneffectivecampaign.Explainthatthestrengthofacampaigncomesfromtheclarityofitsaimandtheamountofsupportitcangenerate.Just like in elections – the numbers matter!
3 SplitthegroupintosmallteamsanddistributetheInfluencebuildercards(onesetperteam).Askeachteamtothinkofanissuetheycareabout(orusethescenariobelow)andwritedownacampaignnameandaim.Explainacatchynamewillhelpwithpublicityandashortandsharpaimwillgivethecampaignaclearfocus.
SCENARIO: In the last six months there has been a sharp increase in the amount of anti-social behaviour in your local area. Loud motorbikes are being driven up and down streets and around housing estates at all hours of the night.
4 AskeachgrouptoorganisetheInfluencebuildercardsaccordingtotheordertheythinkwillbuild themostsupporti.e.shouldtheycontactalocalcouncillorbeforeoraftertheybuildsupportlocally?Theycandisregardanycardstheyfeelaren’trelevanttotheircampaign.
5 Askthegroupstofeedbackencouraginginputandobservationsfromall.Somequestionstoconsider:• Whenisthebesttimetobuildsupport?• Whatwillgetyourcampaignnoticedbypoliticians?
6 DistributetheKey contacts factsheetandasanextensionactivity,youcanaskthegroupstoattendafurthersession(orworkontheirown)andusethe Key contacts factsheettoplantheircampaign.
7 Askparticipantstoregistertovoteonlineat:www.gov.uk/registertovote.IfyoudonothaveinternetaccesspleaseaskthemtofilloutaVoterregistrationformatthebackofthepack.
8 CollectupVoterregistrationformsandsendthemtotherelevantlocalcouncilofficesfortheattentionof“ElectoralRegistrationOfficer”.Don’tforgettotelltheDemocraticEngagementTeamattheCabinetOfficehowmanypeopleyouregisteratthesessionbyemailing:DemocraticEngagement@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.Wewelcomeyourfeedbacksopleasefillintherelevantevaluationformsonpages22and23andsendittoDemocraticEngagement@cabinetoffice.gov.uk sothatwecanhearyourviews.
Optional:9 GiveeachparticipantacopyoftheVoter registration
factsheettotakeaway(onpage18).
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Influence builder worksheet 1
Contact people who feel the same way
Send letter to local press
Contact the national media
Write to your local councillor
Attend your local MP’s surgery
Organise a petition
Set up a campaign blog
Use social media: Twitter, Facebook etc.
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Influence builder worksheet 2
Send local media a press release
Attend public meeting of the local council
Find like-minded groups in the area
Ask local businesses to display posters
Organise a meeting with neighbours and
other affected peopleFundraise
Write to your local MP
Organise a demonstration
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Key contacts factsheet
FindyourMP:www.theyworkforyou.comSetupyourowne-petition:www.gov.uk/petition-government Startapetitiononchange.org: www.change.orgWritetolocalandnationalpoliticians:www.writetothem.com HomelessLink’sguidetolocalinfluencing:www.homeless.org.uk
Contact details – MP
NameofMP
Address
Phonenumber
Localofficeaddress
Surgerydates/times
Contact details – councillorNameofcouncillor
Address
Phonenumber
Localofficeaddress
Surgerydates/times
Voter registration factsheet
ThesystemforregisteringtovoteinGreatBritain haschangedtomaketheprocessmoresecure andmodern.Inthepast,theheadofthehouseholdtoldthecouncilthenamesofallthepeopleliving inthepropertywhowereeligibletovote.Noweveryonewhoiseligibletoregistertovoteneeds toregisterthemselves.
Youcannowregistertovoteonline,at:www.gov.uk/registertovoteRegisteringtovoteismoreconvenientthanever.Theprocesstakonline,usingacomputer
eslessthanfiveminutes,tabletorsmart-phone.
You are not automatically registered, even if you pay council tax.
Who can register to vote?YoucanregistertovoteintheUKifyouare:
• Resident(usuallyliveintheUK),and• Aged16orover(butyouwillnotbeabletovoteuntilyouare18).
Youmustalsobeeither:
• ABritish,IrishorEuropeanUnioncitizen,or• ACommonwealthcitizenwhohasleavetoremainintheUKorwhodoesnotrequireleavetoremainintheUK.
How do you register to vote?Registertovoteonlineat:www.gov.uk/registertovoteIfyouareunabletoaccesstheinternet thenyouwillneedtocallyourlocalcounciland askforavoterregistrationform.Youwillneedto fillitinandpostittoyourlocalcouncilwhowill addyoutotheregister.
Therearetwoversionsoftheelectoralregister:theelectoralandtheopenversion.
Allregisteredvotersappearontheelectoral registerwhichisusedforelectionadministration,creditapplicationsandpreventingcrime.Theopenversionoftheelectoralregisterisavailableforsaletoanyoneforanypurpose.
You can opt out of the open version of the register.
Registering without a fixed addressYoucanstillregistertovoteevenifyoudonothave a fixed address. You need to fill in aformcalled a ‘Register to vote' (no fixed or permanent address living in England or Wales).
Youcangetthisformbycontactingyourlocalcouncil.
On the form you need to give an addresswhereyouwouldbe living if itwerenot for yourcurrentsituation, or an address where you have lived inthepast.
Ifyouarehomeless,youcangivedetailsof whereyouspendasubstantialpartofyourtime.
Moving houseIf you have moved house, you will need toregister to vote again, and it’s important thatyou do,otherwiseyoumaynotbeabletovote!
Sowhileyou’reunpackingyourfridgeandupdatingyourTVlicence,takeafewminutestoensureyou’reregisteredtovote: www.gov.uk/registertovote
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Registration deadlines
You can register to vote at any time. There aredeadlinesforregisteringtovoteifyouwantto voteina particular election (usually 12working days beforethedateoftheelection).
What happens next?Yourlocalcouncilwilladdyoutotheregisterandsendyoualettertoconfirmthatyouareregistered.Atthenextelectioninwhichyouareeligibletovote,yourlocalcouncilwillsendyoudetailsofwhenandwheretovote.
Therearethreewaysthatyoucanvote:
1 In person–onelectionday,gotoyourallottedpollingstation,Pollingstationsareopenfrom7amto10pm.Youdonotneedtotakethe pollcardoranyIDwithyou(unlessyoulive inNorthernIreland)(SeeunderWhatHappens onElectionDay?forfurtherdetails).
2 By post–ifyouprefer,youcanchoosetovotebypostbyfillinginanadditionalapplicationform.Yourcouncilmustreceivetheform11workingdaysbeforeelectionday.
3 By proxy–Youcanappointsomeoneelsetovoteonyourbehalf.Youwillneedtofillinanapplicationformwhichyourlocalcouncilmustreceive6workingdaysbeforeelectionday.Yourapplicationmayneedtobesupportedbyyourdoctororemployer. For more information go to: www.gov.uk/apply-vote-proxy.
What happens on Election Day?Not relevant for postal votes Youwillhavebeensentthedetailsofyourlocalpollingstationthroughthepost, on your poll card.Allpollingstationsareopenfrom7am-10pm.
1 Whenyouarriveatthepollingstationstaffwillcrossyournameofftheirlist.Youdon’tneedapollingcardoranyotherformofID(unlessyouliveinNorthernIreland).
2 Youwillbegivenaballotpaper,whichwilllistallthecandidatesandtheirparties.Ifthereismorethanoneelectionbeingheld,youwillbegivenadifferentballotpaperforeachelection.
3 Taketheballotpaper(s)tooneofthebooths.
4 Makeyourmarknexttothecandidate(s)thatyou’vechosen.Thewayyouvoteineachelectionisslightlydifferent.Someelectionsrequireyoutoputasinglecrossnexttoyourpreferredcandidate.Inotherelectionsyou mayberequiredtomakemorethanonechoice.Askpollingstationstaffifyouareunsure.Theyaretheretohelp.
5 Onceyouhavemadeyourmarkfoldyourballotpaper(s)sonoonecanseeyourchoiceandputitintheboxfortheappropriateelection.
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Your date of birth (DD MM YYYY)
If you dont know your date of birth, please tick if you are:
Under 18 1870 Over 70
Your name and addressForename(s)
Surname
Your address
Postcode
Do you live at another address?
No Yes
If we have printed information which
is incorrect, please cross it out and
write the correct information.
If you also live at another address
don't give us the address now, but we
may ask you for more information later.
Moved in the last 12 months?
No Yes
If yes, please give any previous address where you have lived during
the last year.
Postcode
If this address was overseas, were you registered in the UK as an
overseas voter?
No Yes
Changed your name in the last 12 months?
No Yes
If yes, please give us your previous name.
Please tell us the date you changed your name (DD MM YYYY).
For example, you may have got
married.
Go online
www.gov.uk/registertovote
Don't know your exact date of birth?
Please give the date of birth you put on
your passport or driving licence) or tick
one of the boxes.
ITR-E-MIndividual Registration Form
You can now register to vote online at www.gov.uk/registertovoteAlternatively you can complete this form.
Register to voteOnly one person can register to vote using this form.
Use black ink and write in CAPITALS
Contact detailsTelephone number(s)
Email address (if you have one) in CAPITALS
You don't have to give us your contact details, but if you do it will help us if we need to contact you about your registration.
Your nationality If you have more than one nationality, please include them all. You can only register to vote in the UK if you have leave to remain. We may check your immigration status
include you on the electoral register.
DeclarationTo the best of my knowledge, the information in this form is true. I understand that the information I have given on this form will be used on the electoral register.I understand that if I do not make an application for registration when
I understand that it is an offence to knowingly give false information
six months in prison.etaD erutangiS (DD MM YYYY)
Now sign and return the formSend the signed form in the pre-paid envelope or to the address on page 1 of this form.
The open register
I don't want my name and address to be included in the open register.
There is more information about the open register on page 4 of this form.
Can't vote in person?If you are unable to go to the polling station in person on polling day, please choose how would you like to vote and we will send you a form.
By post
By proxy (someone voting on your behalf)
You can also download an application form at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
Your National Insurance number If you cannot tell us your National Insurance number, we may need to ask you for proof of your identity. We will contact you about this, and it may take longer to deal with your application.
Don't know your date of birth, nationality or National Insurance number?Please tell us why.
ITR-E-M
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Your vote mattersChampion’s evaluation form
Date of workshop Number of people
Number of voter registration applications completed
Number of people already registered to vote
Based on this workshop, how would you rate the activities?
Activity 1: Whogetstobealocalcouncillor?
Activity 2: Creatingcommunityaction
Activity 3: Makefriendsandinfluencepoliticians
Comments on Activity 1:
Comments on Activity 2:
Comments on Activity 2:
Other feedback or ideas from the group:
Suggestions for changes or additions to the pack:
Pleasereturnthisformto:[email protected]
unsatisfactory satisfactory excellent don’tknow
Thank you!
23
unsatisfactory excellent don’tknow
Your vote mattersParticipant evaluation form
Thank you!
Date Name (optional)
Based on this workshop, how would you rate the activities?
Activity 1: Whogetstobealocalcouncillor?
Activity 2: Creatingcommunityaction
Activity 3: Makefriendsandinfluencepoliticians
Comments on Activity 1:
Comments on Activity 2:
Comments on Activity 2:
Any other comments or suggestions: e.g.how,ifatall,hasthissessionchangedyourthoughtsonregistrationandvoting?
Pleasereturnthisformto:[email protected]
satisfactory
@signup2vote
Contact us at:
Democratic Engagement Team
1 Horse Guards RoadLondonSW1A 2HQ
This is available to download at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/democratic-engagement-resources
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