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Rochdale Borough
Local Election 2008
Welcome to the Rochdale Online Local Election Special 2008.
Once again we have invited candidates to submit their election 'pitch', that is, why they believe they should be a ward councillor and why you should vote for them.
Please use the navigation menu on the left to view contact details of each candidate and their 'pitch' if they have submitted one.
* = Pitch online.
| Conservative | Labour | Lib Dem | Independent | BNP | |
| No of Candidates | 20 | 20 | 20 | 1 | 1 |
| No of Pitches Submitted | 19 | 18 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
| Percentage | 95% | 90% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
The local council is responsible for a surprising number of services that you use and rely on every day: from housing to street lighting, education to pub licensing, parking to sports facilities, and park maintenance to care for the elderly. That's why your vote can make a real difference.
In the UK there are three different ways you can vote:
Voting at a polling station
- On election day, go to your local polling station.
If you are disabled and will need assistance getting into the polling station, contact the electoral registration office to find out what help is available. If you require assistance in completing the ballot paper, you may take a companion with you when you vote or the staff in the polling station may help you.
- Tell the staff inside the polling station your name and address so they can check that you are on the electoral register. You can show them your poll card, but you do not need it to vote.
- The staff at the polling station will give you a ballot paper listing the parties and candidates you can vote for. It will be printed with an official mark.
If you have a visual impairment, you can ask for a special voting device that allows you to vote on your own in secret.
- Take your ballot paper into a polling booth so that no one can see how you vote. Mark a cross (X) in the box to the right of the name of the party or candidate you want to vote for.
Do not write anything else on the paper or your vote may not be counted.
- Finally, when you have marked your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box. Do not let anyone see your vote. If you are not clear on what to do, ask the staff at the polling station to help you.
Voting by post
To download an application form visit:
- http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/HowtoVote/VotebyPost.cfm
- Who can apply for a postal vote?
Anyone aged 18 or over can apply for a postal vote. You do not need a reason to vote by post.
- Where can I get my postal vote sent?
A postal vote can be sent to your home address or to any other address that you give. Postal votes can be sent overseas, but you need to consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return your ballot paper by election day.
- When will I receive my ballot papers?
Postal votes are usually sent out about a week before election day.
How do I complete and return my postal vote?
When you receive your postal vote ballot pack, you need to follow these five steps to make sure your vote counts.
Read the instructions carefully.
- Mark your vote clearly.
- Seal your ballot paper in envelope A.
- Sign the security statement.
- Put the security statement and envelope A into the larger envelope B. Then seal it and return it as soon as possible.
Please note: some councils may use a self-sealing method in place of envelopes for the return of postal votes.
Postal votes must be received before voting closes on election day.
Voting by proxy
For detailed information visit:
If you are unable to vote in person, you can choose to vote by proxy (someone else voting on your behalf). You can apply to vote by proxy for a particular election, for a set period of time or for all future elections.
- Can I apply for a proxy vote?
You can apply for a proxy vote as long as you are on the electoral register. When you apply for a permanent proxy vote you have to provide a reason. You can apply for a proxy vote if:- You are unable to go to the polling station for one particular election, for example, if you are away on holiday
- You have a physical condition that means you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- Your employment means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- Your attendance on an educational course means that you cannot go to the polling station on election day
- You are a British citizen living overseas
- You are a crown servant or a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces
Except if you are registered blind, you may have to get someone to support your application to confirm that your reason for applying to vote by proxy is valid.
- You are unable to go to the polling station for one particular election, for example, if you are away on holiday
- Who can vote on my behalf?
Anyone can be your proxy as long as they are eligible to vote in the election and they are willing to vote on your behalf.
You cannot be a proxy for more than two people at any one election, unless they are a close relative.
- What happens after I've applied?
- Your proxy must go to your polling station to vote. If your proxy cannot get to the polling station, they can apply to vote for you by post. Your electoral registration office can give you more details about this.
- Your proxy will be sent a proxy poll card before the election telling them which polling station they have to go to.
You must let your proxy know how you want them to vote on your behalf, for example, which candidate or which party.
- If you are able to go to the polling station on election day, you can still vote provided your proxy has not already done so or has not applied to vote by post.
- Your proxy must go to your polling station to vote. If your proxy cannot get to the polling station, they can apply to vote for you by post. Your electoral registration office can give you more details about this.
How you vote is up to you. It may depend on what you find the easiest or the most convenient method.
Electoral Registration Office
Electoral Registration Officer
PO Box 207
Town Hall
The Esplanade
Rochdale
OL16 1EW
If you have any questions, call 01706 924758
