Page content section :
Electoral
registration and voting
Make your mark
Whatever your political views, it is important that you exercise your right to vote at all elections. This page tells you how you can vote.
Electoral Register
To vote you have to be over 18 on polling day and be on the Electoral Register for one of the wards where the elections are taking place.
The electoral register is based on where you were living on a particular date, but you may have made an application to re-register.
If you wish to check the electoral register, please contact the Electoral Registration Office.
Poll card
You should receive an official poll card which will give details of where, when and how to vote.
You can vote without a poll card, but it will save time if you take it to the polling station and show it to the clerk there.
How to vote
- Go to the polling station.
- Tell the Clerk your name and address and hand over your poll card (if you have remembered to bring it with you).
- The clerk will check the register to make sure your name is listed.
- You will be given a ballot paper for voting.
- Go to one of the compartments. Mark a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite the name(s) of the candidate(s) you are voting for. (Note : the number you may vote for can vary depending on the type of election).
- Fold the ballot paper in two. Do not let anyone see your vote. Put the ballot paper in the ballot box and leave the polling station.
- If you make a mistake and need another ballot paper, show it to the presiding officer and ask for another one.
Disabled
voters
Where possible the council has introduced several features to help disabled voters :
- Access ramps,
- Low level polling booths,
- Large print posters listing candidates and parties,
- Template for those who are partially sighted or who experience dyslexia. Please ask the polling station staff for the use of one.
You may also be interested in the Disability Rights Commission website article about supporting people with a learning disability in the voting process :
- Equality and Human Rights Commission website : Information about right to vote (http://83.137.212.42/sitearchive/DRC/easyread/votingrights/index.html)
- see also : Equality and Human Rights Commission website : Publications (www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publicationsandresources/pages/default.aspx)
Still need more information?
For information about voting, elections or the electoral register please contact the Electoral Registration Office.
