Voting Explained

Why vote?
Every vote counts and yours is as important as anyone else’s, a strong and stable democracy relies on people making the most of their right to vote – don’t miss the chance.

Who can vote?
To vote in local and national elections you must be included in the register of electors, be 18 years old or over, and either a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or for local elections, a citizen of a member state of the European Union. European Union citizens can also apply separately to vote in European Parliamentary Elections in the UK.

How can I vote?
Providing that your name is included in the register of electors in time for an election, you will be sent a poll card a few weeks before the election.

The poll card will tell you, when you need to make your vote, where your polling station (the place you go to, to make your vote) is, and the time that the polling station is open (usually 7am – 10pm). There will also be information on how many candidates you may vote for, and how to vote at the polling station.

If you currently have a postal vote you will receive a postal poll card, this will tell you, the date of the election, the address your ballot paper will be sent to, when the postal ballot papers will be issued and information on how to cancel your postal vote if it is no longer required.

You can vote in one of three ways, in person at your local polling station on election day, or by post, or by proxy.

Voting in person
Take your poll card with you when you go to vote, you do not need to take this with you but it will save time if you do so. If you have lost or forget to bring the card you can still vote as you will be asked your name and address.

The clerk will give you a ballot paper, detailing how many candidates are standing, the party the candidates represent and how many candidates you can vote for.

After taking the ballot paper, go to one the polling booths. Mark a cross (x) next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for. Do not put any other mark or writing on the ballot paper, or your vote may not be counted.

If you spoil your ballot paper by mistake, show it to the presiding officer and ask for a replacement.

Fold the ballot paper in two. Show the presiding officer the number and other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper, but do not let anyone see your vote. Put the ballot paper in the ballot box and leave the polling station.

The polling station staff are there to help you, if you need someone to help you please ask.

Voters with disabilities
Every effort is made to ensure that going to the polling station to vote is accessible for everyone. The following arrangements are in place:

• You can bring along a companion to help you. Your companion must be someone who is eligible to vote in their own right, this could be either a relative or a friend.
• Access to polling stations has been improved by the provision of temporary ramps where needed.
• All polling stations provide a large print copy of the ballot paper.
• A special device known as a ‘Selector’ is available in all polling stations. This device has been designed to help blind or partially sighted voters to be able to mark their own ballot paper.

Voting by post
You will need to complete and return a postal vote application form, stating where you would like the ballot paper to be sent and for how long you will require the postal vote. Regulations require applicants to supply a date of birth and current signature to help prevent fraudulent claims. If you are unable to supply a current signature please contact Electoral Services.

You will receive a postal voting pack containing a postal voting statement, a ballot paper, Ballot paper envelope A and Return envelope B. Once you have cast your vote there will be guidance on how to return the documents. The completed documents must be returned by the close of the poll either to the Elections Office or to your local polling station.

At the time of an election postal vote applications must be received in the elections office by no later than 5.00pm on the 11th working day before the day of the election.


Voting by proxy
You will need to complete and return a proxy vote application form, this can be either for a particular election or for an indefinite period of time.
A proxy vote for a particular election can be for any reason and does not need supporting by a qualified person.

If you require the application for an indefinite period of time you will need to give a reason for the application and have the application supported by a suitable qualified person as listed in the notes supplied with the form.

At the time of an election proxy vote applications must be received in the elections office by no later than 5.00pm on the 6th working day before the day of the election.

If you are suddenly physically incapacitated or taken ill, after 5.00pm on the 6th working day before the election, you can apply to vote by proxy for medical reasons up until 5.00pm on polling day, this application will need to be supported by a suitable qualified person as listed in the notes supplied with the form.

Your proxy will receive a notice 7 – 10 days before the election giving details of when and where to go to vote on your behalf. Once at the polling station your proxy would follow the same process as if casting their own vote with the exception that they would follow your wishes as to who to vote for.

Postal Proxy
Your proxy would need to complete an application form for a postal proxy.

At the time of an election postal proxy vote applications must be received in the elections office by no later than 5.00pm on the 11th working day before the election. Postal proxy ballot papers will be sent out 7 – 10 days before the day of the election.