ARmy Rumour SErvice

RECOMMENDATIONS TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Using this post to develop quickly and 'transparently' an updated list of recommendations to local Councils which are responsible for (a) Electoral Registration and (b) the conduct of Elections - the "returning officer" side of the house.

NB this is only supplementary to the letters which other members have already written, or are about to write, to local Councils. Personal letters much more effective than a round robin. Several excellent letters noted, thanks all.

Endstate of this post will be recommendations [which we have now brought to attention of a relevant national organisation]. Will also remain here as a clear and hopefully helpful statement for elections professionals looking-in on this site.

Recommendations to be realistic and achieveable quickly, in time to make a difference for the forthcoming General Election.

Bullet points:

• Background on 'electoral deficit' in the forces community. Effects of abolition of 'one-time' service voter registration. Turbulence, deployment, difficulties in obtaining information from theatre: welfare computers, welfare telephone allowances. Postal voting problems.

• Electoral Registration problems for mobilised TA/reservists, FTRS. Most should have been already registered from home address, but some may not retain that home address. FTRS are recommended by MOD to rent out home accomodation rather than leave it vacant. Flexibility/understanding requested from EROs, within the limits of the regulations. EROs requested to consider these factors, and have advice ready for enquirers. Also to have proxy form RP2 downloadable from their website.

• Council websites. Huge variations in quality and amount of information - it CAN be done. We can give examples of 'best practice'. We'd like the absolute minimum acceptable standard to be achieved by the end of the week: a clear and easily found web page which includes a prominent graphic live link to aboutmyvote.co.uk. Sorry but this is so important that if any Council hasnt either done this by the end of the week, or supplied excellent information within their own site, there may be pressure from our members to draw attention.

• The actual voting process. As some forces members stationed overseas are likely to remain postal voters for the next election, we cannot emphasise enough the importance of returning officers sending out the postal voter paperwork at the earliest possible moment permitted by the regulations.

• Liaise with local garrisons/MOD establishments, and be prepared to advise candidates on getting election leaflets to the local Forces community, wherever public access is restricted.

• Added 15 Feb We hear that one of our members has received a letter from their ERO, confirming their postal vote and asking them to email a BFPO address if deployed. We trust all Councils are taking similar action now. Elections professionals, this link to elsewhere on our site may be of interest, also the post two down from that one: http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn/index.ph...=214626#214626


'ARRSE' consultation period closed 14 Feb, thanks all. The above now summarises a consensus view.

External comments/queries remain most welcome, email hackle@hotmail.co.uk

SPECIFIC POINTS FOR MOBILISED TA/RESERVISTS & FTRS - AND THEIR UNITS

Electoral advice & assistance to members of the Armed Forces is a matter for local Councils, and for Units, who are required by MOD to provide personnel with "every reasonable assistance" to register to vote.

Here on ARRSE, we can only pass on information and suggestions in good faith, for your consideration - your responsibility. Nevertheless, the information we have collected so far in this thread has proved far more up-to-date than some official websites.

Some of our members have reported problems which still seem to be below the radar of official bodies. Including electoral registration/voting problems specific to reserve forces serving full-time:

• Members of the reserve forces are, we believe, not entitled to register as "service voters". They can only register as "ordinary voters", an option which is also now available to regulars.

• Our suggestion to reservists overseas is the same as for regulars - arrange a proxy rather than a postal vote. Registered "service voters" are automatically entitled to a proxy vote, in other words to appoint a relative or other person to vote on their behalf. Registered "ordinary voters" do not have the same automatic right.

• However, we understand that a reservist who is to be away from home, owing to duty, is entitled to apply for a proxy vote for a period, or for an election on a specific date.

• We think that most or all registration officers will interpret the regulations flexibly and sympathetically in favour of mobilised personnel. 'ARRSE' is now reminding them to do so.

• If your proxy is not in your constituency and able to vote in person on your behalf, they will need a postal vote.

• There are two versions of the proxy voter application form for "ordinary voters", RP2 which is for a period, and RP2A which is for an election on a specific date. RP2 is the appropriate one for those applying at this stage. It includes a declaration to be signed off on behalf of your employer - ie RTMC Chilwell or your unit in theatre. Both forms are available from most Councils but not, so far, from aboutmyvote.uk .

Hope this helps. We don't want to add to the long list of "things to do" pre-deployment. Attention to this by RTMC, as well as deployed units, would greatly simplify matters for all concerned.

Let us know please of any problems with either Councils or Units. PM 'hackle', or email hackle@hotmail.co.uk . If we publish anything here, we won't normally identify units or locations, and certainly not name individuals. Report any hint of the cry - "Reasonable assistance is for regulars only" :(

If your unit/establishment/garrison/formation (tri-service) has a really good initiative to help mobilised personnel with registration, remember we're now taking "Heroes of Democracy" nominations! RTMC?

ABSENT VOTING BY MOBILISED TA & RESERVISTS

See recent posts in this thread:
1. "RECOMMENDATIONS TO LOCAL COUNCILS"
2. "SPECIFIC POINTS FOR MOBILISED TA/RESERVISTS & FTRS..."

Most members of the various British Armed Forces reserves, if currently serving full-time under various categories of obligation, are likely to be absent from home during the next General Election.

We understand they are not, however, automatically entitled to a proxy vote in the same way as those members of the Regular Forces who choose to register as "service voters".

Postal Voting problems:

We are aware that postal voting is another option for absent voters. We would like local returning officers (as is generally the case) to send out postal ballot papers at the earliest possible moment permitted by the regulations. We would also like the Ministry of Defence to take extra steps to ensure that British Forces postal arrangements are running at maximum speed and reliability throughout the election period.

However, in view of typical turn-around times for mail to operational theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan and even to locations such as Germany, we agree with others who have suggested that Forces absent voters should normally arrange a proxy, rather than a postal vote.

Some Forces voters will give a home address rather than an address overseas. Including some reservists deploying as individual reinforcements and not as members of a formed unit, as their BFPO address may change during their time overseas. Even once the postal ballot papers arrive at "base", an individual may be away on operations and not receive the paperwork for some days. There are multiple reports from previous elections of postal ballots not arriving in time, even in Germany. Other individuals may well have posted back the papers in previous elections. but never been aware that they failed to reach the returning officer in time.

Our suggestions to make it easier for reservists to arrange proxy voting:

We suggest reservists should use Form RP2 "APPLICATION TO VOTE BY PROXY FOR A DEFINITE OR INDEFINITE PERIOD" -
rather than Form RP2A "APPLICATION TO VOTE BY PROXY FOR A PARTICULAR ELECTION". RP2A can only be used once an election has been announced.

Many local authorities make form RP2 available from their websites; these forms are in fact generic, but with minor non-critical personalisations by the Council. We understand that in fact no Council would be in a position to reject a form which contained the information legally required.

We would like to see generic proxy forms made available from the national 'aboutmyvote' website. Similarly, the Ministry of Defence to arrange for these forms to be made available, especially in Units likely to employ reservists, and mobilisation establishments. It's better for reservists to arrange a proxy vote before leaving UK, with the form being signed off by the mobilisation establishment as employer.

Contact: hackle@hotmail.co.uk

MMMMMMMM feedback!

email just in via hackle@hotmail.co.uk pointing out that the SHAPE "Facilities for You" factsheet on www.army.mod.uk states that "personnel serving overseas may not be registered as Postal Voters".

Contrary of course to what we and others have been saying all along: overseas personnel are entitled to vote by proxy or postal.

We guess that the SHAPE statement - while the writer seems to have been aware of the change of legislation in 2000/2001 - is probably a misunderstanding of the widespread view that those serving overseas are better to choose a proxy vote. But they DO have the choice of a postal vote, if they prefer.

Nothing we give out here is 'advice', but you can check for yourself at http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/vote/re.../?defCountry=5

Thanks 'informant' for drawing this to our attention - we could have been wrong, and always appreciate tips like that.

It's understandable if comprehensive welfare info like the SHAPE factsheet occasionally contains incorrect or out-of-date details on a subject like this. The sources for official info remain - DCI(JS) 01/05 "Electoral Registration", the new MOD web pages we have provided links to, and of course the excellent national site - www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

(18/2/05 - Background only, does NOT affect our info for voters. The Under-Secretary of State for Defence stated in a Parliamentary Written Answer on 8 Sep 03 that "Service personnel overseas can choose to register as Service voters by means of a Service declaration, but they can then only vote by proxy." Did the regulations change after 2003? If so, the change was not effectively publicised in the forces. In any case, the aboutmyvote site confirms that service voters can choose in advance to vote by proxy, post, or in person at the polling station in the constituency.)

SERVE AS A SOLDIER - VOTE AS A CITIZEN
This message from a stylish wartime poster, reminding the troops to register to vote in the 1945 General Election.
Check out the red, white and blue clouds!
http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn/index.ph...=215360#215360

There is now, for good reason, so much information above that it's worth repeating the simple basic voter registration details. All other info is now indexed, two below this item.

KEY DATES

• 11 March 2005 - DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION TO VOTE ON:
  5 May 2005 - SOME LOCAL ELECTIONS, AND LIKELY GENERAL ELECTION

KEY CHOICES

• Registration choices:
  register as a "service voter"
  or as an ordinary voter, like any civilian
  
  Voting choices:
  vote in person at the polling station
  or through a "proxy" who you nominate to vote on your behalf
  or by post (not recommended if you are overseas)

KEY LINKS

aboutmyvote.co.uk

• Well laid out site maintained by
  
  Has everything you need to register in England, Wales, or Scotland.
  
  Register to vote as a member of HM armed forces (or spouse):
  
  http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/vote/re.../?defCountry=5
  
  Includes choice of downloadable registration forms.
  'Service voter' registration form includes choice of proxy or postal voting, if required.
  
  Contacts for every Council responsible for elections in England, Wales and Scotland:
  
  http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/elections/index.cfm
  
  Homepage:
  
  http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/
  
  Free Helpline: 0800 3 280 280

Electoral Office Northern Ireland (where there are different rules)

• Homepage:
  http://www.electoralofficeni.gov.uk/
  
  Electoral Office N Ireland says registration deadline is 10 March

Special cases

• For anyone having problems establishing the residence qualification, such as British citizens employed abroad on a long-term basis, there may be the possibility of registering as an "Overseas Voter".
  
  There is also something called "Declaration of Local Connection", which may help with some problems establishing residence in the desired constituency.
  
  Advice from sources listed above.

ARRSE ARMED FORCES VOTER INFORMATION, ELECTORAL INFORMATION, ARMED FORCES VOTE, UK GENERAL ELECTION 2005, voter registration, service vote, service voter, service voters, service voting, soldier vote, soldiervote, soldier voting, Army voting, HM Forces, Her Majesty's Armed Forces, HM Armed Forces voting, HM Armed Forces voters, HM Armed Forces community, electoral registration, registration deadline, ordinary voter voters, ordinary elector electors, Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, RN, RN/RM, RAF, tri-service, serviceman, servicemen and women, spouse, spouses, service families, army wife, navy wife, airforce wife, army partner, service partner partners, mobilised, deployed, reservist, overseas, in theatre, proxy vote, proxy voter, postal vote, postal voting problems, register to vote, overseas voting problems, 11th March 11, 5th May 5, F/Vote, aboutmyvote, want a vote?, disenfranchised servicemen, Electoral Commission, Council, ERO, DCI 01/05, DCI(JS) 01/05 Electoral Registration, Form EC24.1 Register to Vote, new MOD leaflet, UK elections professionals, MOD website, BFBS, Army Families Federation, army welfare, vote voter voters, Army Rumour Service
hackle@hotmail.co.uk

Courtesy of one of our members, image below of the new Electoral Commission leaflet for members of the HM Forces community.
Downloadable high-quality pdf version also now available here (clickable link)

Index to this thread.

Page 1

Introduction & Quick Links
Useful electoral & political links
Article in AFF Journal
Any Problems?
Confidentiality & security aspects
Urgency of registration to vote
RAFCOM info on registration options.
Commonwealth & ROI citizens' right to vote
Proxy & postal voting
Issue of DCI(JS) 01/05

Page 2

Alert about mistaken official info
Postal Polling Perils
Quotes from AFF Journal, Dec 2004
May elections, 11 March deadline
Questions For You
Advantages of proxy voting
Official info corrected
"Heroes of Democracy"
More on May elections - March 11 deadline
Suggestions for Units

Page 3

Election Procedures within the Forces
Recommendations to Local Authorities
Mobilised TA & Reservists
Absent Voting by TA & Reservists
Reply to a question about MOD website info
Serve as a Soldier - Vote as a Citizen
KEY DATES, KEY CHOICES, KEY LINKS
New Electoral Commission leaflet
This index
Some Election-related topics on ARRSE

Page 4

Voter registration in Northern Ireland

POST-REGISTRATION DEADLINE INFO STARTS HERE:

• Advice following the March 10/11 voter registration deadlines

• Links to political information and General Election news

• UK General Election timetable 2005

• Queen's Regulations for the Army - Political Activity in Barracks etc
2 comments ref political activity

• Those leaflets again! See LINK for more on this saga

• Approaching deadlines for arranging proxy or postal voting

• Protecting your vote from electoral fraud

Page 5

• Possible outcomes of the General Election - hung parliament - keep going with voter registration

• Urgent reminder to check your voting arrangements

• Another reminder about deadlines for making or changing proxy or postal voting arrangements

• Answer to a question

• If your postal ballot papers haven't arrived, or arrive too late to post them back to the Returning Officer

• Last minute suggestions for the many overseas who are still waiting for postal ballot papers