There are 3 different ways in which you can vote in an election:
- vote at a polling station (you will need to show photographic ID)
- vote by post
- have someone vote as a proxy on your behalf
Vote at a polling station
Most people vote on polling day at a polling station.
You will need to show photographic ID. View more information on photo ID.
Your poll card will tell you where your polling station is, it is worth checking the address as it might not be the closest polling station to you or your polling station may have changed location. Alternatively, you can check where your polling station is using the postcode check below.
How to vote at a polling station
When you go to the polling station follow the following procedure:
- The staff at the polling station will give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for. You may be given more than 1 ballot paper if there is more than 1 election taking place in your local area on the same day.
- Take your ballot paper into a polling booth so that no one can see how you vote. Read the ballot paper carefully, it will tell you how to cast your vote. Do not write anything else on the paper or your vote may not be counted.
- Mark your ballot paper according to the instructions. A pencil will be provided for you to do this, but you may use your own pen if you prefer.
- If you make a mistake on your ballot paper, do not worry. Providing you have not already put it in the ballot box, just let the polling station staff know and they can issue you with a replacement ballot paper.
- Fold your completed ballot paper in half, show the back to the polling station staff and then pop it in the ballot box, and that's it, done!
Vote by post
You can vote by post at an election if you wish. View information on how to vote by post.
Vote by proxy
You can choose to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf if you wish. View information on how to vote by proxy.