Voting in Elections
What Happens at Election Time
At the time of an election, full details of
the election timetable and voting arrangements will be publicised
widely. If you qualify to vote in an election, we will send
you a poll card telling you the date and time of the election and
the address of your polling station.
Step By Step Pictorial Guide
To Voting
This easy guide explains what you have to do
to vote. Your vote helps to choose the people who make decisions on
issues that affect you. You can vote in person. Alternatively you
can apply to vote by post or apply to
vote by proxy.
The register of electors is a
list of everyone who is registered to vote. You must be on the
register to be able to vote. If you are not on the register
of electors you will need to Download an
application form to register as an elector 
(88K). A registration form is sent to every home
each autumn, but you can register to vote at any
time.
If you are on the register of
electors, you will be sent a card just before an election.
This is called a poll card. It tells you where and when to
vote. Please note that you will be sent a poll card even if you
vote by post, the poll card is for information only and you do not
actually need it to cast your vote.
On election day, go to the
polling station (17K). The polling station is often a
school or local hall near where you live. 'Polling' is another word
for voting. Tell the staff inside the polling station your
name and address so they can check that you're on the register. You
can show them your poll card, but you do not need it to vote.
The staff at the polling
station will give you a list of the people or parties you can vote
for. This is called a ballot paper. You may be given
more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election
on the same day.
Go into a polling booth so that
no one can see how you vote.
You will be asked to put a
cross (X) in the box next to the person or party you want to vote
for. Do not write anything else on the ballot paper or your
vote may not be counted.
Fold the ballot paper in half and put
it in the ballot box. If you are not clear what to do, ask the
staff at the polling station to help you. Do not let anyone see
your vote. When the voting is over the votes are counted. The
winner or winners are the people with most votes. They are
responsible for representing you. You can ask them about issues
that affect you, by phone, by letter or by email. You can also ask
to meet and speak to them in person.
Find out more about what happens on polling day:
