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2019 European elections: What you need to know 2019 European elections: What you need to know
(1 day later)
Preparations to take part in the European elections on 23 May began after the EU agreed a Brexit delay until the end of October. The UK will return 73 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to Brussels and Strasbourg.
The government had hoped a Brexit deal would be done by then, and Theresa May said the UK would not have to take part if MPs agreed a plan first. The election happens every five years in EU countries.
But now the UK will definitely take part in the elections, returning 73 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to Brussels and Strasbourg.
This election happens every five years in EU countries.
Who can vote in the EU elections in the UK?Who can vote in the EU elections in the UK?
Voters must be registered to vote, be 18 years old or over on 23 May, be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of an EU country.Voters must be registered to vote, be 18 years old or over on 23 May, be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of an EU country.
You have to be resident at a UK address (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years) and not be legally excluded from voting.You have to be resident at a UK address (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years) and not be legally excluded from voting.
How can I register to vote?How can I register to vote?
The deadline to register for the EU elections has now passed so anyone who has not already registered will not be able to take part.The deadline to register for the EU elections has now passed so anyone who has not already registered will not be able to take part.
What about EU citizens resident in the UK?What about EU citizens resident in the UK?
If you are a citizen of an EU country and are resident in the UK, you can vote either in the UK or in your home country. In either case, you must have registered before the deadline.If you are a citizen of an EU country and are resident in the UK, you can vote either in the UK or in your home country. In either case, you must have registered before the deadline.
How do the European parliamentary elections work?How do the European parliamentary elections work?
Voters will choose 73 MEPs in 12 multi-member regional constituencies.Voters will choose 73 MEPs in 12 multi-member regional constituencies.
Each region has a different number of MEPs based on its population.Each region has a different number of MEPs based on its population.
MEPs are elected in order as listed by their party, based on the parties' total share of the vote in each region.MEPs are elected in order as listed by their party, based on the parties' total share of the vote in each region.
In the nine English regions, Wales and Scotland, the number of MEPs is calculated using a form of proportional representation known as the D'Hondt formula, a complex system devised by Belgian mathematician and lawyer Victor D'Hondt in the late 19th Century.In the nine English regions, Wales and Scotland, the number of MEPs is calculated using a form of proportional representation known as the D'Hondt formula, a complex system devised by Belgian mathematician and lawyer Victor D'Hondt in the late 19th Century.
The process is slightly different in Northern Ireland, where the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system is used. Here is a guide to how the two work.The process is slightly different in Northern Ireland, where the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system is used. Here is a guide to how the two work.
Which parties are standing?Which parties are standing?
We have a guide here on what we know so far about how the main parties are preparing for the 23 May polls.We have a guide here on what we know so far about how the main parties are preparing for the 23 May polls.
When can I vote?When can I vote?
The UK will go to the polls on Thursday 23 May, between 07:00 and 22:00 BST. The Netherlands also votes that day, but voting in other EU nations will take place at varying times over the following three days, with the whole process completed by 22:00 BST on Sunday 26 May.The UK will go to the polls on Thursday 23 May, between 07:00 and 22:00 BST. The Netherlands also votes that day, but voting in other EU nations will take place at varying times over the following three days, with the whole process completed by 22:00 BST on Sunday 26 May.
How do I vote?How do I vote?
At the polling station, you will be given a long ballot paper listing all the parties putting up candidates in your region and candidates' names, as well as any independents standing.At the polling station, you will be given a long ballot paper listing all the parties putting up candidates in your region and candidates' names, as well as any independents standing.
To vote for a party or individual, put a cross inside the box next to their name.To vote for a party or individual, put a cross inside the box next to their name.
If you live in England, Wales and Scotland, you are only allowed to choose one party or individual to vote for.If you live in England, Wales and Scotland, you are only allowed to choose one party or individual to vote for.
In Northern Ireland - which uses a different electoral system - voters are able to rank the parties in order of preference. For instance, if there are five parties standing, voters can rank them from one to five, putting a one next to their first choice.In Northern Ireland - which uses a different electoral system - voters are able to rank the parties in order of preference. For instance, if there are five parties standing, voters can rank them from one to five, putting a one next to their first choice.
Here is the European Parliament's own explainer of how it all works.Here is the European Parliament's own explainer of how it all works.
What are the European parties?What are the European parties?
MEPs sit and vote in groups with like-minded politicians from the other member states, not necessarily with people from the same country.MEPs sit and vote in groups with like-minded politicians from the other member states, not necessarily with people from the same country.
For example, from 2014-2019 the 20 UK Labour MEPs sat with an Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. Most UK Conservatives were in a group called the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, and the one serving Liberal Democrat MEP sat with an Alliance of Liberals and Democrats.For example, from 2014-2019 the 20 UK Labour MEPs sat with an Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. Most UK Conservatives were in a group called the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, and the one serving Liberal Democrat MEP sat with an Alliance of Liberals and Democrats.
Members of national parties don't have to sit in the same European grouping as one another, but most do.Members of national parties don't have to sit in the same European grouping as one another, but most do.
Under EU rules these groups need to have at least 25 members, made up of MEPs from at least a quarter of EU member states (currently seven out of 28).Under EU rules these groups need to have at least 25 members, made up of MEPs from at least a quarter of EU member states (currently seven out of 28).
This means that some groups might not be able to re-form after the election, if they lose members from certain countries or go below 25 overall.This means that some groups might not be able to re-form after the election, if they lose members from certain countries or go below 25 overall.
It's also possible for MEPs to not belong to any political group. They are known as non-attached Members or Independents.It's also possible for MEPs to not belong to any political group. They are known as non-attached Members or Independents.
For our results, we'll be treating the groups as they are before the election and assuming that all MEPs from the same national party will sit in the same European groups until we know otherwise.For our results, we'll be treating the groups as they are before the election and assuming that all MEPs from the same national party will sit in the same European groups until we know otherwise.
More about each group on the European Parliament website.More about each group on the European Parliament website.
When will I know the result?When will I know the result?
Counting is also done on a country-by-country basis - but the results are kept secret until all voting is finished. They will be announced from 22:00 BST on 26 May.Counting is also done on a country-by-country basis - but the results are kept secret until all voting is finished. They will be announced from 22:00 BST on 26 May.
What would you like to know about the forthcoming European Elections? Let us know and a selection will be answered by a BBC journalist.What would you like to know about the forthcoming European Elections? Let us know and a selection will be answered by a BBC journalist.
Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question: