Referendums

A referendum is a vote on a single issue. The entire electorate is asked to accept or reject a particular proposal.

Each referendum has different rules on who can vote in it.

To vote in a referendum you must:

  • be registered to vote
  • be 18 or over on the day of the referendum (polling day)
  • be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen
  • be resident at an address in the UK or Gibraltar (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)
  • not be legally excluded from voting

A referendum can be called if a petition is submitted to the local authority containing the signatures of 5% of the electorate in our Register of Electors (as at 15 February in any given year).

Details of the current figure and further information can be found in the  number of electors signatures required for petition [pdf] 12KB

In accordance with Regulation 4(1) of the below regulations the number that is equal to 5% of the number of local government electors shown in the revised register of electors having effect on the 15 February 2025 is: 6513

This figure will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of Petitions presented from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

The number equal to 5% of the local government electors for 2026 will be published within 14 days of the 15 February 2026. If this number is less than 6513, the number to be used for verification purposes in relation to any petition submitted for the period beginning on the date of publication of the lower number until 31 March 2026 shall also be that lower number.

This Notice is published pursuant to the Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions and Directions) (England) Regulations 2000 as amended.

Dawn Hudd

Chief Executive (and Proper Officer)

Arun District Council

Arun Civic Centre

Maltravers Road

Littlehampton

West Sussex

BN17 5LF 15

February 2025

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