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• Elections

• Voting

Elections - voting

You can only vote in elections if your name is on the Register of Electors.

The following people, aged 18 or over, are allowed to vote:

• All British, Commonwealth, Irish and other European Union citizens.
• Overseas electors
• Members of HM Forces and their spouses
• Crown servants employed outside the United Kingdom

Note -

• European citizens are allowed to vote in European and Local Elections only.
• Overseas Electors are allowed to vote in Parliamentary and European Elections only.

Poll cards are delivered shortly before an Election to electors who vote in person. Each member of the household who is on the Register of Electors and is eligible to vote in person should receive a poll card which informs them of the date of the election, where their polling station is and the hours of poll. You do not need to take the poll card with you to be able to vote.

Postal voters will also receive a notice reminding them that they have opted to vote by post and giving them the opportunity to cancel this request should they with to vote in person or by proxy.

• The hours of poll for ALL elections are 7.00am to 10.00pm
• 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.
• The ballot paper will have an official mark.
• You should take the ballot paper to the voting booth and mark with a "X" the candidate you wish to vote for.
• Fold the ballot paper and deposit it in the ballot box.

What if I am unable to get to the Polling Station on Election Day?

If you are unable to go to your Polling Station on Election Day, you can apply to vote by post or proxy (as long as you are on the electoral register).

You do not need a reason to vote by post however there is a deadline for applications before an election so you should apply as soon as you can. Postal votes are usually sent out about a week before election day. You can have a postal vote for just one election or for all future elections. You will need to supply your signature and date of birth - this is so that we can check them when you return your postal vote.

A proxy is someone who votes on your behalf. When you apply for a proxy vote you have to provide a reason, for example, you are away on holiday or you are in hospital.

If you want a proxy vote for all future elections, you must have one of the following reasons.

• You have a physical disability
• You are away from home due to your job or you are on a course
• You have to travel by air or sea to get to your polling station

In all the above cases, except if you are registered blind, someone has to certify on your application that the reason is valid, for example, your employer or doctor.

Please contact the Electoral Services office using the details below for a form.

Contact Details