Electoral Services Office
Introduction
Voting at elections is a cornerstone of our democracy. Therefore it is vital that everybody who is eligible to vote is able to do so. We aim to consult with all the community groups in Hackney and feel it is especially important to consult Hackney's disabled residents. Below is some information about registering to vote and voting at elections.
Please can you read through this information and answer our attached questionnaire. We value all feedback we receive and will use it to improve our service. Return the questionnaire to Catherine@hfbu.org.uk
Electoral Facts
Did you know...
- You must register to vote every year, during the annual canvass
- Every household is sent a form during the annual canvass, in September
- You must register to vote every time you move or change your name
- Anyone is now entitled to vote by post
- Voting by post requires you to provide a signature and date of birth
- If you are unable to sign your postal vote you may apply for a waiver
- All polling stations must be DDA compliant
- The electoral register is used by Credit Reference companies to verify your address - not registered = no credit
- Other Council departments such as Parking and Housing use the register to verify your address Not everyone is eligible to register to vote. Eligibility is based on 3 factors: age, residence, nationality.
- You must be 18 or over to vote, but 16 or over to register to vote. You must be resident in the UK for at least 6 months, and you must be a citizen of the UK, or Commonwealth, British dependent territory or of an EU member state. There are special rules for registration for homeless people, British people living overseas and members of the Armed Forces and Crown Services.
There are many types of election in the UK:
- Local Authority (e.g. Hackney Council)
- Parliamentary
- European Parliament
- London Assembly
- Mayor of London
- Mayor of Hackney
- Referendum
- Welsh Assembly
- Scottish Parliament
The council will send a poll card to all registered electors at least 2 weeks prior to every election. They inform you of the deadlines to change your method of voting from the polling station to postal or proxy. The opening times and location of your polling station are on your polling card, and if you are a postal voter it will tell you when they're posting it out to you and when the deadline is to get it back to them.
If you are not registered to vote, please email Jamie.baker@hackney.gov.uk and supply your name and address. He will send you a registration form which you need to complete and return to them.
You can also download an electoral registration form at www.hackney.gov.uk/electoral-registration-form.doc
