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Business voting - Frequently Asked Questions for qualifying bodies


City residents aged 18 and over are automatically entitled to vote in City of London ward elections. Businesses and other organisations are also entitled to vote. 

Sole traders and partnerships are entitled to register all equity partners.  In addition all other organisations are entitled to nominate a certain number of electors based on the size of their workforce.

For more information please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cityvote09/, email electoralservices@cityoflondon.gov.uk or phone 0800 587 5537. 

The following questions below relate to City-based organisations and businesses that are entitled to register to vote in ward elections by nominating electors based on the size of their workforce.

What is a qualifying body?

This is any incorporated or unincorporated body apart from a partnership. This includes limited companies, limited liability partnerships, charities, trade associations, livery companies, churches and other religious bodies, banks and hospital trusts. If you are a sole trader or partnership you still get to vote but will need a different form.

How do people get appointed as voters?

If they qualify to stand under the selection criteria, they should contact the relevant contact in their organisation of their interest. Appointments are made internally by the qualifying bodies.

If organisations occupy more than one office in the City, does each office have the right to appoint a voter?

Yes, even if those offices are in the same ward, as long as individuals work in those offices concerned and the offices are not physically linked. The number of votes is determined by the size of the workforce in each building, not as an aggregate.

What is the process for appointing voters?

It is the choice of each individual organisation of how to appoint their voters.Some organisations may already have existing arrangements can be deployed satisfactorily for this purpose. The process of appointment should be open and clear and the appointed voters should be reflective of the workforce.

Download the poster to advertise the appointment process (118kb) 
Download tips for appointing voters here (24kb)

What do voters have to do?

Voters will be informed in writing when and where any elections will take place. They can vote in person at a polling station within their ward or, equally, the City of London welcomes postal votes (proxy voting is also an option).

How do people object if their inclusion on the ward list is not accurate?

Forms on which to make claims or objections will be available from the Electoral Registration Office when draft voting lists are published in November.

Can I vote in the City as well as at my home address?

Yes - provided you do not live in the City.

If I live in the City can I vote twice?

No - you can only vote once in the City.

Can one person have all the nominated votes?

No - the system is one vote per person.

Can staff at all levels vote?

Yes – as long as they meet the criteria.  Appointments should be reflective of the composition of the workforce.

What am I voting for?

Aldermen and Common Councilmen (Members) in the City of London ward elections. They make up the City of London’s Court of Common Council – its main decision making body. The City of London provides local government services for the 'Square Mile'

Are voters free to exercise their vote as they wish?

Yes - the vote is a secret ballot just like all other elections.

Can I be on the Ward List and the Register of Electors?

Yes, these are two separate documents. The Ward List is used for the City’s elections of Aldermen and Common Councilmen and the Register of Electors is used for Parliamentary, European Parliamentary and Greater London Authority elections

Can I be nominated more than once by my company?

No, you can only be registered once and can only have one vote.

Who can register to vote?

To register to vote you must be 18 or over on 1 September of the relevant qualificaiton year, have worked for the company for more than 12 months and be a citizen of one of the countries listed below:

Download the Commonwealth British Overseas Territories and EU member states list here (18.5kb)

If you wish to ask a question...

Please email the Electoral Services Team

For further details please call the helpline on 0800 587 5537 or email.


Last modified: 15 September 2008 | Author: Helen Blakeborough
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