Forum topic: Centenary of women’s suffrage movement marked by My Vote Enfield launch

- Enfield Council’s voter registration campaign launches on 6 February

- The date marks 100 years since women gained the right to vote

- Registering to vote is easy but don’t duplicate your registration

Enfield will be marking exactly 100 years since women gained the right to vote and the Representation of the People Act by launching its campaign “My Vote Enfield” on 6 February.

The campaign being launched by Enfield Council seeks to get as many people as possible registered to vote ahead of the local election across the borough where 63 ward Council seats will be up for grabs on 3 May.

Enfield Council’s Chief Executive, Ian Davis, said: “This year is very important in the history of democracy - it’s 100 years since the Representation of the People Act, marking the moment when some women were finally, after years of campaigning, given the right to vote. Whilst much inequality remained this was a watershed moment in the UK. If you are not already registered to vote but are eligible to do so, why don’t you make 2018 your year of action.

“Your ward councillor represents you, provides a voice for the community and can help improve your local services. They engage with organisations such as the Police, schools and health bodies. If you want your views to be heard, please make sure you turn up to vote on 3 May.”

My Vote Enfield aims to get residents registered to vote and engaged in the democratic process. In order to participate in the election, residents must be registered to vote. The process of registration is very easy. Simply go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote - you will need your national insurance number, date of birth, address, full name, and around five minutes to complete the registration. 

Remember, if you have already registered, you do NOT need to do so again, unless you have changed your name, nationality or address. You can also register to vote by contacting Electoral Services on 020 8379 8588.

Enfield Council will be sending out a Household Information letter to all residential properties in the borough from 9 February which will confirm the names of the people currently on the electoral register.

You can vote in Enfield’s local council election if you are 18 years or over on polling day, a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the European Union resident in Enfield.

Some key dates to be aware of:- The deadline for receiving applications for registration is on Tuesday, 17 April- The deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications and for changes to existing postal/proxy votes is by 5pm on Wednesday, 18 April. - The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy is by 5pm on Wednesday, 25 April.- Polling day, 7am-10pm on Thursday, 3 May

More information on registering to vote can be found on Enfield Council’s website at: new.enfield.gov.uk/services/councillors-and-democracy/electoral-services/how-to-register-to-vote

There will be other events in the borough to mark the women’s suffrage movement. Keep an eye out on www.enfield.gov.uk or follow Enfield Council on Facebook or @EnfieldCouncil on Twitter, #MyVoteEnfield.

Source: new.enfield.gov.uk/news-and-events/centenary-of-womens-suffrage-movement-marked-by-my