The EU Referendum will be held on 23 June, 2016.
Preparations are underway at the Dorset Councils Partnership, which is made up of North Dorset District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, for the referendum.
Residents are being reassured that if they are on the electoral register they do not need to register again to vote in this referendum.
However, if you are not on the electoral register, and do not usually receive a polling card or postal or proxy vote, then you need to register before the 7 June 2016 deadline. You can register online at:www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Sue Bonham-Lovett, Dorset Councils Partnership Electoral Services Manager, said: “I’d like to reassure people that if they are on the electoral register they will automatically get a vote in the EU referendum. There is no need to register with us again.
“Many residents have been contacting us attempting to register again, but if you are on the electoral register and normally vote in elections then you do not need to.”
EU citizens are not entitled to vote in this referendum.
If you expect to be away on referendum day (23 June) then you can arrange for a postal or proxy vote. You need to arrange for a postal vote by 5pm on 8 June 2016 or for a proxy vote by 5pm on 15 June. If you apply now for a postal vote these will be posted on 13 June 2016 so please make sure you will be there to receive it, otherwise you could appoint a proxy.
You can go online to check you are on the electoral register at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
More information about the EU referendum and who can vote is available here:
www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/upcoming-elections-and-referendums/eu-referendum
