Make sure your vote counts
Who can vote?
You need to be on the electoral register to vote in this election. Those eligible are UK, Irish, and qualifying Commonwealth citizens, aged 18 and older on polling day. Other European Union citizens can vote in the UK on completion of a UCS form. All voters must be registered by Tuesday 19 May.
Am I registered?
You can check that you are registered as an elector, or get further advice, by telephoning 0800 393 783. Calls are free.
Citizens of other European Union States
You can choose to vote in this election either in your home state or this country. Even if you are registered in this country as a local government elector, you can only vote in a European Election if you have completed a UCS form. To receive one, telephone 0800 393 783.
Voting
In the United Kingdom, polling will take place on Thursday 4 June, 2009. Polling Stations will be open from 7am - 10pm.
How Do I Vote?
You have one vote in this election and must place a single “X” on the ballot paper against the party or independent candidate of your choice.
Ballot Paper
The ballot paper will contain the names of the parties and individuals seeking election. Parties draw up lists of candidates in order of priority and the number who are elected depends on the number of votes cast for that party.
How can I vote?
- In person at a polling station
Or if an application has already been granted:
Postal or Proxy Voting
Anyone registered who wishes to vote by post or proxy, and has not already applied, can do so now. Just phone 0800 393 783.
Proxy voting is where you nominate someone else to vote on your behalf. To be entitled to vote in this way both you and your proxy must meet certain criteria. Phone 0800 393 783 for further advice.
Who runs the European election?
Scotland is one of 12 electoral regions in the UK. Each region has a Regional Returning Officer. In Scotland, the Regional Returning Officer is Tom Aitchison, Chief Executive of Edinburgh City Council. The local Returning Officer is Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of The Highland Council.
The European Parliament
The European Parliament is the democratically elected body whose members (MEPs) are elected every five years. Working in Brussels and Strasbourg, Parliament scrutinises the activities of other European Union institutions, passes the annual EU budget, and shapes and decides new legislation jointly with the Council of Ministers.
Make Up of the Parliament
The Parliament is made up of 732 MEPs from 27 member states with a total electorate of 350 million voters.
The member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
UK Representation
From the June elections, the United Kingdom will have 72 MEPs. Scotland is one of 12 electoral regions in the UK and will have 6 MEPs.
Contacts
For local information about registration:
Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer
Moray House, 16-18 Bank Street, INVERNESS, IV1 1QY
Tel: 0800 393 783 Fax: 01463 703301 Email: ero@highland.gov.uk
For local information about the Election and the Election Process:
Contact the Election Helpline on 0845 6035528 or
Email: elections@highland.gov.uk
For information on electoral matters:
The Electoral Commission
Scotland Office, 28 Thistle Street,
Edinburgh, EH2 1EN
Tel: 0131 225 0200 Fax: 0131 225 0205
Email: infoscotland@electoralcommission.org.uk www.electoralcommission.org.uk
Further information about voting: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
For information about the European Parliament Office:
Scottish Office of the European ParliamentThe Tun,4 Jackson’s Entry, Holyrood Road,Edinburgh, EH8 8PJ
Tel: 0131 557 7866Fax: 0131 557 4977 Email: epedinburgh@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.org.uk
For information about the European Commission:
Scottish Office of the European Commission 9 Alva Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4PH Tel: 0131 225 2508 Fax: 0131 226 4105 www.ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom