Turnout for european parliament elections

by Sir Simon Hughes As all Gib well knows, Gibraltar and the UK are recognised as a single member state in the European Union. This has been the case ever since we joined the EU together in 1973. So, ever since the European Parliament was first directly elected in 1979, I have voted for the party I want to represent me in the European Parliament. But, unlike the rest of us in the UK, you in Gibraltar had to fight through the courts to have votes in these elections and to be represented. So as people in Gib well know, the first European Parliament elections on the Rock were not until June 2004. This is therefore only the fourth EP election for Gib – even though it’s the ninth EP election for the UK. But it is the most important European Parliament election for all of us. And nowhere more important than for Gibraltar. In 2016, I had the honour to be the guest speaker at the Gibraltar launch of the campaign for the UK and Gib to remain in the EU. And you did us proud. First … [Read more...] about The most important European Parliament election ever

Thursday’s European Parliament election failed to attract great interest, with figures taken at 5pm showing the turnout as very low in most parts of Shetland. By that time the poorest polling place turnout was 12 per cent at at Tingwall Public Hall, with the highest, 29 per cent, recorded at the Uyeasound Public Hall in Unst. The Lerwick figure at 5pm was just 16 per cent, similar to Brae, Gulberwick and Whiteness & Weisdale. The average turnout at 5pm, 18 per cent, compared unfavourably with the 2014 European elections (29 per cent), the 2015 UK General Election (33 per cent), the 2016 Scottish Election (27 per cent) and the 2017 SIC election (24 per cent). … [Read more...] about Poor turnout by 5pm around isles in European Parliament election

Following the agreement to prolong the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union until October 31, the country will almost certainly be obliged to take part in forthcoming elections for the European Parliament. These will take place across Europe between May 23-26; in the UK the scheduled date is Thursday, May 23. The UK vote could be cancelled if the negotiated Brexit agreement is approved by the British parliament, opening the door for the UK to leave the EU. But after three defeats for the deal in the House of Commons, divisions remain entrenched and the process paralysed – nearly three years after the EU referendum. There are different voting systems across the EU – and within the UK. All are versions of proportional representation (PR), different from the “First Past The Post” method which elects MPs to the UK parliament at Westminster. How is the vote organised in the UK? The UK will elect 73 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), out of … [Read more...] about How do European Parliament elections work in the UK and how do I vote?

The UK government has confirmed that Britain will take part in European Parliament elections on May 23, as leaders have not managed to reach a new Brexit deal that could be ratified in time by Parliament. PM Theresa May had hoped to be able to avoid the vote as she has been in talks with the Labour Party to find a way forward on Brexit for several weeks, but has not been able to break the deadlock. The election round will cost the UK more than EUR 110 million, even though many people, including the prime minister, believe that they will be a waste of time. “I don’t believe it’s right to be in a situation of holding European parliamentary elections three years on from people having voted to leave the EU,” May has said. EU elections usually have a very low turnout in the UK, but high numbers are expected this year as voters use the election to express their feelings on Brexit. The UK was initially due to leave the EU on March 29, but the deadline was extended to … [Read more...] about UK to take part in European Parliament elections

Online and early voting in the 2019 European Parliament elections in Estonia ended on Wednesday. By Wednesday evening, a total of 223,870 people, or 25.4 percent of voters, had cast their vote, including 155,521 online and 68,349 in person at polling places. Compared to the previous European Parliament elections five years ago, early voter turnout increased, up from 19.3 percent; in 2014, a total of 174,245 people cast their votes early, either online or in person at polling places.All polling places will be open from 9 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is on Sunday, May 26.On Election Day, voters may only vote in person at the polling place assigned to them according to their registered place of residence. Votes cast early and online cannot be changed on Election Day.Voters who are unable to vote in person at their assigned polling place due to the state of their health or some other compelling reason can vote at home. In order to vote at home, the voter must submit a … [Read more...] about 155,521 vote online in European Parliament elections