Voting

This page explains how you can vote.

How do I vote?

A Poll card for each member of the household who is eligible to vote will be delivered shortly. The Poll card will tell you the date of the Election, where your Polling Station is and the hours it will be open. You do not need to take your Poll card with you to be able to vote.

When you arrive at the Polling Station the Presiding Officer will ask you your name and address and will then issue you with a folded ballot paper. The polling station staff will make a note of your Voter Registration number on a list with your ballot paper number.

The ballot paper will bear the names of the candidates.

You should go to the voting booth and put an ‘X’ in the square next to the name of the candidate(a) you wish to vote for.

Fold the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.

Ask the Polling Station staff if you need any advice.

What should I do if I can’t get to the polling station on Election Day?

If you know in advance you won’t be able to get to the Polling Station on Election Day you can apply to vote by post or you can apply to vote by proxy (a proxy is someone who votes on your behalf). Please contact the Electoral Services Team who will advise you further.

Why is there a number on the back of the ballot Paper?

All ballot papers are numbered on the back as a measure to prevent and detect fraud. However, all the ballot paper lists are sealed up after the count and cannot be opened without a court order so that the secrecy of the ballot is retained.

What if a put a tick instead of a cross?

Don’t worry, so long as it is clear that you intend to vote for a particular candidate your vote will be accepted

What if I make a mistake on my ballot paper?

You can either cross out the mark and vote for the candidate of your choice or you can ask the Polling Station staff for a replacement ballot paper in exchange for your spoilt ballot paper.

If you spoil a postal ballot paper you will have to come to the Elections Office to get a replacement ballot paper. For any queries relating to replacement postal ballot papers, please contact the Electoral Services Team.