Who can vote
You can only vote in Elections if your name is on the Register of Electors. To find out if you are on the register of electors please call (01926) 456111.
The following people are allowed to vote if they are over eighteens years of age:
- all British, Commonwealth, Irish and European Union citizens
- overseas electors
- members of HM Forces and their spouses (if they qualify)
- Crown servants employed outside the United Kingdom
- 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. Each member of the household who is eligible to vote 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.
- 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
- You should take the ballot paper to the voting booth and mark with a "X" the candidate you wish to vote for
- When you have marked the ballot paper, deposit it in the ballot box.
Polling stations
An interactive map will provide details of polling stations during the run up to elections.
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 (a proxy is someone who votes on your behalf):
- If you have a permanent physical incapacity, are registered blind or receive the higher rate of mobility component of the disability living allowances for a physical disability you are eligible for a permanent postal or proxy vote. The form requires the declaration that the information is correct from a doctor, nurse or warden of a home.
- if your work frequently takes you overseas.
- if you will be on holiday when the Election is taking place
- If you have moved house since you registered and are unable to go to your old polling station
- if you are working during all hours of voting, for example as a member of the Election staff.
Find out more on proxy voting and postal voting.
The BBC guide to voting
How to vote at your polling station on Election Day
If you have never voted before and are not too sure of what to do when you go to your polling station on Election Day or even if you have voted many times before - visit the aboutmyvote website to find out about the electoral process.
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