There are currently three ways of voting in the UK; at the polling station, by post or appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf. When an election is called, we will send everyone who is registered a poll card advising how, where and when you can vote. If you want to change your method of voting this can be done at any time up to 11 working days before the election. Although there has been some talk in recent years, electronic voting has not yet been introduced in the UK.
The traditional way to vote in the UK is to go to your local polling station and vote in person. If you lose the poll card or forget to take it with you to the polling station, then you can still vote, provided your name is on the register.
On arrival at your polling station a member of staff will ask you to state your name and address, they will then issue you with a ballot paper if you are eligible to vote in that election.
You should take the ballot paper to one of the voting booths and mark it appropriately in the box(s) on the right hand side of the paper against the name of the candidate(s) you wish to vote for. The maximum number of votes you can make is detailed at the top of the ballot paper.
If you make a mistake or spoil your paper you can take it back to the Presiding Officer and request they issue you with another. When you are happy with your vote, fold the Ballot Paper and put it into the appropriate ballot box.
If you have a postal vote then you will not be able to vote at a polling station.
Voting by post
Postal voting means receiving your ballot paper in the post prior to election day. Applications can be made for a single election, for a specified period or permanently. You can apply for a postal vote at any time until 5pm on the 11 day before an election .
Postal votes are usually dispatched 10 days before the date of the election. If you are going to be away from home during the run up to an election and would like a postal vote, please check with the elections office to discuss the practicalities as it may not be possible to receive and return the paperwork in time for your vote to be counted. Postal votes have to be received back at the Council Offices (or your polling station) by 10pm on election day. If you have been sent a postal vote, you cannot vote in person at a polling station.
The deadline to receive a completed application form or make changes to an existing postal vote is 5pm on the 11 day before an election but you can apply for one at any time. Please feel free to contact the Electoral Service department on 01784 446 232/8 who will be happy to send you one if you are unable to print one off. If your application is successful you will be sent a confirmation letter. You cannot sign an application form on behalf of another elector even if you have Power of Attorney.
Proxy voting means appointing someone you trust to go to your polling station and vote on your behalf. You can only vote by proxy on an indefinite basis for the following reasons: physical disability, registered overseas elector, attending an educational course away from home, and certain occupations e.g. armed forces or crown service elector. Applications for a proxy vote for a particular election do not require attestation but you must state a reason (ie on holiday) but you will need to wait for an election to be announced. You cannot sign an application form on behalf of another elector even if you have Power of Attorney.
The deadline to receive a completed application form is 5pm on the 6 day before an election so please contact the Electoral Service department on 01784 446 232/8 who will be happy to send you one. If your application is successful you and your proxy will be sent a confirmation letter.
In the case of a medical emergency that has occurred after the deadline for a standard proxy (this would have to be verified by a doctor) we do have the facility to issue an emergency proxy up until 5pm on election day.
What if I have a disability?
e for people who are less able. These include a device called a ‘selector', which enables blind or partially sighted people to vote unaided, ramps allowing easy access to polling stations and our staff are always on hand to help you. You can also take a companion with you to assist.
