Voting at a polling station

Most people choose to vote in person at a polling station.

About three to four weeks before an election you will receive your polling card in the post. On this card you will find details of when, where and how to vote. It is easier if you take this with you when you vote although you can vote without it.

At the polling station the Poll Clerk will ask you to verbally state for your name and address. This verbal affirmation is proof that you are who you say you are. It is an offence to give false information and may result in prosecution.

You will then receive a ballot paper which will say how many candidates you can vote for. Simply take the ballot paper to a polling booth and put a cross next to the candidate or candidates you wish to vote for.

Do not write anything else on the paper or you risk your vote not being counted. Fold the ballot paper to hide your vote, show the folded paper to the clerk and put it in the ballot box. You do not have to tell anyone who you voted for.

Elections are held between 7am to 10pm and are usually on a Thursday.

Have a look at the animated polling station walkthrough provided by the Electoral Commission to see how easy voting is.

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About my vote: Voting in person