Monday 30 March, 2015 For immediate release Fifers being urged to register to vote ahead of the General Election FIFERS are being encouraged to make sure they’re registered to vote ahead of May’s General Election. On May 7 voters will go to the polls to elect a Member of Parliament for their constituency. Fife has four UK parliamentary constituencies: North East Fife Glenrothes Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Dunfermline and West Fife Residents living in the Dunfermline South council ward will also have the opportunity to choose a new councillor for their ward following the resignation of former Fife Councillor, Cara Hilton MSP. The deadline to register to vote for the General Election and Dunfermline South local government by-election is 20 April. Linda Bissett, electoral registration officer for Fife, said: “It’s important that residents across Fife and the Dunfermline South council ward make sure they can take part. “To have your say you must be registered to vote. To help you know whether you’re on the most up-to-date electoral register, which was published at the end of February, we sent FIFE HOUSE NORTH STREET GLENROTHES KY7 5LT 01592 583312 every household a letter last week to confirm the details of everyone currently registered to vote at that address and what to do if someone isn’t registered. “If you’ve recently changed address it’s also important to make sure that you’re registered at your new address otherwise you won’t be able to vote. “It only takes a few minutes to register to vote, or to choose to vote by post or proxy, where someone votes on your behalf. But please remember that if you want to vote by post or proxy you must register to vote first. The earlier you register to vote and apply for a postal or proxy vote, the quicker we’ll be able to process your application to make sure that you can vote in a way that suits you. “You can register to vote online and find out how to apply for a postal or proxy vote by visiting www.fifedirect.org.uk/registertovote or calling the electoral registration team on 03451 55 55 11. “Whatever way you choose to vote, we must receive your completed registration form by midnight on Monday 20 April 2015. If you’re applying for a new postal vote or wish to amend an existing postal or proxy vote you have until 5 pm Tuesday 21 April and if you want to apply for a new proxy vote you have until 5 pm Tuesday 28 April.” ENDS Notes to editor: You can only vote if your name appears in the Electoral Register and you are aged 18 or over on polling day. To register as a Parliamentary elector you have to be resident in the UK and be a British, Irish Republic or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. A qualifying Commonwealth citizen is a Commonwealth citizen who has leave to remain in the UK, or does not require such leave. Citizens of other European countries resident in the UK cannot vote in the UK General Election but can still register to vote in local government (and Scottish Parliament/Welsh Assembly) elections. Recent research conducted by YouGov for the Electoral Commission found that: 21% of people who rent privately think they’re automatically registered to vote if they pay council tax 40% of those surveyed think it is not possible to register to vote online in England, Scotland and Wales. 69% do not know that the deadline to register to vote, with 13% thinking it is already too late to register. When given a choice of five options only 32% correctly identified the deadline as 20 April. Ref: Y:\D Customer Service & Public Relations\D11 Media\D11 17 Corporate Services\D11 17 1 Press Releases\2015\150330 General Election Fifers urged to register to vote ew.doc Contact: Media Manager on 01592 583312 Issued: Fifewide Website: www.fifedirect.org.uk Out of hours: 07985 718 254 .