European Parliament and Local Elections - make sure you vote
Have you registered to vote in the European Parliament and Local Elections which take place on the 22nd May 2014? Perhaps you registered to vote during the Middlesex students' Bite The Ballot drive in January, but if not there's still some time - you have until Tuesday 6th May to register!
Register now at About My Vote
Why is it important that you vote?
Voting for the Members of European Parliament means that you have a say in who represents you on issues such as
- immigration policy
- animal rights
- consumer rights
- the environment
- international trade regulations
- regional economic development
- workers' rights
Local Elections determine the services provided by your local council, including things like
- the provision of benefits
- transport initiatives
- parking permits
- children's services
- bin collections
- council tax
Register now at About My Vote
How does it work?
Whoever gets elected to the European Parliament will represent your region for the next five years! Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected in regions, and you vote for a party rather than an individual candidate.
Local Councillors are elected by ward (an area within the council), so you vote for a person, though most candidates are attached to a political party.
If you don't vote there is a chance that a party who does not represent your issues could be elected and your issues won't be raised and our voices won't be heard.
On May 22nd, your local polling station (usually a school, library, community centre etc) will be open from 7am to 10pm. Voting in person is simply a matter of showing up and marking your choice on the ballot paper.
If you are unable to vote in person don't worry - just follow these instructions and you can vote by post!
Register now at About My Vote
International student? You may still be entitled to vote!
All UK citizens can vote in the elections although for international students please see the list below if you're not sure if you can vote.
Eligible European countries
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxemburg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Eligible Commonwealth countries
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brunei Darussalam
Cameroon
Canada
Cyprus*
Dominica
Fiji Islands**
The Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
India
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta*
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Rwanda
St Kitts & Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent & The Grenadines
Samoa
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Swaziland
Tonga
Trinidad & Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Kingdom
United Republic of Tanzania
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe**
Eligible British Overseas Territories
Anguilla
Bermuda
British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Montserrat
Pitcairn Island
St Helena and dependencies (Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Sovereign base areas on Cyprus
Turks and Caicos Islands
Eligible British Crown Dependencies
Isle of Man
The Channel Islands (including Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, Herm and the other inhabited Channel Islands).
*Although also EU member states, citizens of Cyprus and Malta are eligible to be registered to vote in respect of all elections held in the UK.
**Citizens of Fiji and Zimbabwe retain their voting rights despite the countries having been suspended from the Commonwealth.
For more information, have a look at this link.
So get your voice heard - register to vote at About My Vote
