Did you know you can vote? .... on 4 June 2009 - 1/4/2009

There is a campaign in the Integration Office of Dublin City Council telling people that 'You have the right to vote in local election 2009'. The entitlement to vote is slightly different in Ireland, but many people in the UK also do not know that they can vote! And there are elections soon on 4 June 2009!

You can vote in Local, European and National Elections in the UK if you are over 18 and you are a:

• UK citizen
• Commonwealth citizen
• EU citizen [can vote in local elections, can vote in European Elections only if waived right to vote in own country, cannot vote in National elections]

[You cannot vote if you are from outside the Commonwealth unless you have become a British or EU Citizen.]

There are a large number of refugees and asylum seekers from Commonwealth countries including Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon and Sierra Leone. If you are a refugee or asylum seeker form these countries, you can vote.

To vote, you must be registered. There are some Local and European Elections on 4 June 2009, so don’t wait too long or it will be too late.

The About my vote website is a really good guide about how to vote, why to vote and what to vote for. Start by typing in your postcode or area you live. You can then print a blank form or fill one in online before printing. It should also tell you the address of your local Registration Office to post it to.

You choose who to vote for, but don’t miss your chance. Be part of British society and have your say!