Voting advice

Poll Cards

You do not need to take the poll card with you to be able to vote.

  • On arrival at your designated polling station, the Presiding Officer will ask you to confirm your name and address and will issue you with a ballot paper for the election(s) you are entitled to vote in.
  • You should take the ballot paper(s) to the voting booth and mark with a 'X' the candidate(s) you wish to vote for in accordance with the instructions on the ballot paper.
  • Fold the ballot paper(s) and deposit in the ballot box as indicated.

Polling station instructions

  • When you go inside, you must wear a face covering like you do in shops or on public transport, unless you are exempt from doing so.
  • Hand sanitiser will be available. You should sanitise your hands when you go into the polling station and when you leave.
  • The staff will be wearing masks and visors, like staff in shops,
  • Polling station staff will be cleaning regularly, so you might need to wait for a booth to be cleaned before you can use it.
  • Please bring your own pen or pencil with you.
  • Where possible, polling places will have a one-way system, so be prepared to follow the signage and any instructions.
  • You can still ask staff for help if you need it.

Voting Advice Accordion

Voting procedure at the polling station

  • If you have any physical disabilities, look out for the special direction signs to gain easy access to the polling station.
  • Once inside the polling station go to the clerks’ table and give your name and address on the electoral register.
  • The presiding officer will give you your ballot paper which will show the official mark.
  • Take the ballot paper to one of the polling booths to cast your vote in secret.
  • Vote for no more than the amount of candidates shown at the top of the ballot paper, mark a cross (X) on the right hand side of the name of the persons you are voting for.
  • If you spoil your ballot paper you can show it to the presiding officer and ask for another one.
  • Once you have cast your vote, fold the paper in half and take it to the ballot box by the clerks’ table. Show the presiding officer the official mark before putting your vote in the box.
  • The presiding officer and poll clerk(s) can help you if you are not sure what to do.

EU Citizens and Voting in the UK

Every election and referendum in the UK has different rules about who is allowed to vote. These rules are defined by legislation. If you are an EU citizen, your residency and citizenship will affect which elections and referendums you can vote in.

EU citizens living in the UK, can vote in:

  • European Parliamentary elections
  • Local government elections
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections
  • Depending on where you live, you may also be able to vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, London Mayor and Assembly, or National Assembly for Wales elections

EU citizens cannot vote in:

  • UK Parliamentary elections
  • The 2016 EU Referendum

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