Referendum

A referendum is a direct vote where the electorate of an area is asked to answer a question on a particular proposal.

Types of referenda

There are several types of referenda:

  • UK referendum
  • national referendum
  • regional referendum.

How a referendum is run

In the run-up to a referendum there is a formal campaigning period. Timetables are produced showing the dates and deadlines during the referendum period. After the poll is closed, the votes are counted locally. The results are then collated and the overall result announced.
 

Verification figure for referenda on the change of constitution

Publication of Verification Figure

The Local Government Act 2000 provides that electors in the council's area can petition the council to hold a referendum on whether a local authority should change to a different form of governance.

Such a petition must be signed by at least five per cent of the local government electors in the local authority's area.

It is a legal requirement for the proper officer for each local authority area to publish the figure which represents five per cent of the number of local government electors in the area. This is referred to as the verification number.

In accordance with Regulation 4(1) of the Local Authority (Referendums) (Petitions & Directions) (England) Regulations 2000, as amended by The Local Authorities (Referendums)(Petitions)(England) Regulations 2011, the number that is equal to 5 per cent of the number of local government electors shown in the revised register of electors having effect on the 15 February 2026 is:

4055

This figure will have effect for the purposes of determining the validity of Petitions presented from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

However, every year there is a short period of time when there are two figures that can be used. This is between publication of the number in February and 31 March that same year. During that time, the alternative number that can be used is the one that was published the previous February. We must use the lower of these two numbers as the Verification Number for any petition submitted during that period.