Getting out the vote

As I write this it is a week until the Police and Crime Commissioner elections. UK Polling Report have highlighted an Ipsos MORI poll suggesting only 15% of people intend to vote.

The turnout in the US presidential election in which people have claimed that some states had actively tried to prevent people from voting had an approximate turnout figure of 51% and at the last UK general election the turnout was 65.1%

Of course we are in the relatively rare situation of there being a reasonable proportion of people who have a political or practical objection to the office that the elections are being held to fill. So getting out the vote has an inbuilt disadvantage.

The candidates in South Yorkshire are:

David Allen

English Democrats

Jonathan Arnott

UKIP

Nigel Bonson

Conservative

Robert Teal

Liberal Democrat

Shaun Wright

Labour

As usual the position of this blog is everyone who can should vote.

Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 15/11

On the 15th of November elections will take place for the first Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire.
Elections here in Sheffield will be arranged as usual by Sheffield City Council but the lead council for totting up all the results from South Yorkshire is Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
IN ORDER TO VOTE YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE REGISTER AT THE CORRECT ADDRESS BY 31st OCTOBER 2012.
Some people, like the Electoral Reform Society, are predicting a shockingly low turnout for this election for a number of reasons. Even if you disagree with the concept of Police and Crime Commissioners not going to vote is not a protest, spoil your ballot if you must.
For more information see thinkPCC, the Home Office or follow the news.

Registering to vote deadline is Midnight.

I've had this from the Electoral Services Officer at Sheffield City Council on the nature of tomorrow's voter registration deadline if you are walking up with a filled in form:

Whilst we would prefer them to be received during the day so we can get them processed the legislation says it's 12 midnight. Anyone coming after our reception closes at 5 will need to hand in their registration form at the Porters Lodge entrance round the back of the Town Hall. Postal Vote applications have to be in by 5pm.