Politics: Referendum Registration Deadline.

[Barquentine]

Where is the legislation that set the deadline to register? I could not find it in the 2015 Referendum Act.

[Buenchico]

I can't immediately see it either. However I note two sections within the European Union Referendum Act 2015 which may well be relevant:

Firstly, Section 2(1) says:
"Those entitled to vote in the referendum are—
(a)the persons who, on the date of the referendum, would be entitled to vote as electors at a parliamentary election in any constituency, . . ."
That would seem to imply that the entitlement to vote (and therefore the registration requirement) shall be the same as if there were to be a General Election on 23rd June. Therefore the time limit for registration might be buried somewhere within the Representation of the People Acts of 1983 and 1985, as amended by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act of 2013 and elsewhere.

Secondly (and probably more importantly) I note the 'enabling powers' granted by Section 4(1) of the Act, which states:
"The Minister may by regulations—
(a)make provision about voting in the referendum and otherwise about the conduct of the referendum . . ."
That appears to have left certain details about the referendum (including, quite possibly, the closing date for registration) in the hands of the Government, subject to them simply making Regulations (rather than having such matters brought before Parliament).

[EDDIE51]

They have just announced that the deadline has been extended by 2 days, due to the computer system crashing. So it can't be a 'fixed' date.
You can now register until midnight Friday 10th June 2016.

[Buenchico]

Eddie must have a strange calendar if Friday comes two days after Tuesday!

The new deadline is midnight on Thursday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36480764

[Mamyalynne]

Don't tell me the EU have rejigged the calendar to!

[Jackdaw33]

Wouldn't surprise me. The French did it in 1793.

[Buenchico]

^^^ England changed the calendar in 1752 but at least we kept the days in the right order!
(The day after Wednesday 2nd September was Thursday 14th September)

[Jackdaw33]

That was a trick question we used to set the kids in History lessons: George II went to bed on 2nd September 1752 and didn't wake up till the 14th. What was wrong with him?

[Buenchico]

^^^ I've used a variation of that one when setting pub quizzes, JD33 ;-)

[Jackdaw33]

Another one on that theme is,'Why did the Soviets celebrate the October revolution when it took place in November?'

[Buenchico]

^^^ Who cares about the October revolution? Just remember that if you're going to Munich's Oktoberfest, it's actually held in September!

Erm, I've got a feeling that I really ought be removing all these 'chatty' posts from this thread but, since I've provided a proper answer already - and this beer tastes so good - I hope that Barquentine will forgive us all ;-)

[Jackdaw33]

So easy to become sidetracked without realising it. If your beer is half as good as my gin you will be fine.

[THECORBYLOON]

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Electoral-Law_Timetables_Research.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwi4xpPo05nNAhUJQJoKHVh9CSEQFggfMAI&usg=AFQjCNGbWt_00BMnVhGx2xteaKHV9fF0YA&;sig2=04mpkTxRdhlnhVZ_ttO_sA

See para 1.69 for the calculation

[Buenchico]

Thanks, TCL.

So it appears that this is where Barquentine needs to be looking:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/341/contents/made

[Barquentine]

Zut alors! So the French still owe us 12 days? When are we going to get them back? The Leave campaign missed a trick there. I would have been fuming if my life suddenly got twelve days shorter. And 12 fewer days' drinking time. Mon dieu.

[Jackdaw33]

There was unrest at the time because people felt that they were being short-changed on quarterly rents. That is why the fiscal year begins on April 6th instead of March 25th (Lady Day) as before.

[Peter Pedant]

CBL's analysis points out the S I here
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/341/regulation/29/made

I had previously read 29 without realising its import
as far as S Is go - these are probably the most tedious

basically five days to apply to the register
and five days to allow for objections to the application
and add a bit

not sure how you vary an S I
needs at least one vote in each house

a one line act would require three in each ( cd be done )

each years finance bill ( = budget ) is voted into action at 5pm on the day by resolution and the act follows a few weeks later
and I dont see why they couldnt do that

( but I am not a parliamentarian )

[Peter Pedant]

// There was unrest at the time because people felt that they were being short-changed on quarterly rents. That is why the fiscal year begins on April 6th instead of March 25th (Lady Day) as before.//

possibly
thre were riots as the people thought the govt had legislated 12 d of their lives away !

and others said there are 91-12 d in this quarter and so our taxes should be reduced by 79/91 and the govt said no fear - the quarter is still x days long and taxes will be collected a fortnight later