On Thursday the 23rd of March, the European elections take place. The UK will vote on British representatives for the European Parliament, otherwise known as MEPs.
The European Parliament consists of 751 members who have a say over most new EU laws. Seventy three of those represent the UK.
There are 72 UK MEPs currently serving, with one empty seat. Between them, 43 are seeking re-election and there are 548 other new candidates.
Most of the European Parliament’s work takes place in Brussels but its official sittings happen in the French city of Strasbourg.
How does the election process work?
UK voters will choose 73 MEPs to represent the country in the European Union.
The UK has 12 multi-member constituencies. Each region has a different number of MEPs based on its population.
Not surprisingly, London has one of the highest MEP counts – we’ll be electing 8 of them.
What’s different about the European elections?
The European elections have a different system to the local election process. Political parties put forward names of candidates in the order they want them to appear. The party gains seats according to the number of votes cast for them. There are only 12 constituencies in the UK for the European elections compared with 650 constituencies for the general election.
But we’re leaving the EU?
Despite Britain’s plans to leave the EU, we still have to take part in the European elections. This was agreed when the Brexit deadline was extended to 31st October.
British citizens still have the right of representation in the European parliament because Britain is still currently part of the EU.
But, if Brexit goes ahead before 31st October, British MEPs may not take up their seats in the European Parliament.
When will we know the results?
Votes come in on a country-by-country basis. However, results remain secret until all voting is finished. They will be announced from 22:00 BST on 26 May.
Short HeadlineWhat do you need to know about the European elections?
StandfirstVoters head to the polls on Thursday 23rd May. But what exactly are we voting on?
On Thursday the 23rd of March, the European elections take place. The UK will vote on British representatives for the European Parliament, otherwise known as MEPs.
The European Parliament consists of 751 members who have a say over most new EU laws. Seventy three of those represent the UK.
There are 72 UK MEPs currently serving, with one empty seat. Between them, 43 are seeking re-election and there are 548 other new candidates.
Most of the European Parliament’s work takes place in Brussels but its official sittings happen in the French city of Strasbourg.
How does the election process work?
UK voters will choose 73 MEPs to represent the country in the European Union.
The UK has 12 multi-member constituencies. Each region has a different number of MEPs based on its population.
Not surprisingly, London has one of the highest MEP counts – we’ll be electing 8 of them.
What’s different about the European elections?
The European elections have a different system to the local election process. Political parties put forward names of candidates in the order they want them to appear. The party gains seats according to the number of votes cast for them. There are only 12 constituencies in the UK for the European elections compared with 650 constituencies for the general election.
But we’re leaving the EU?
Despite Britain’s plans to leave the EU, we still have to take part in the European elections. This was agreed when the Brexit deadline was extended to 31st October.
British citizens still have the right of representation in the European parliament because Britain is still currently part of the EU.
But, if Brexit goes ahead before 31st October, British MEPs may not take up their seats in the European Parliament.
When will we know the results?
Votes come in on a country-by-country basis. However, results remain secret until all voting is finished. They will be announced from 22:00 BST on 26 May.
