What Happens at Election Time
At the time of an election, full
details of the election timetable and voting arrangements will be
publicised widely. If you qualify to vote in an election, we
will send you a poll card telling you the date and time of the
election and the address of your polling station.
Step By Step Pictorial Guide
To Voting
This easy guide explains what you have to do
to vote. Your vote helps to choose the people who make decisions on
issues that affect you.
The register of electors is a list of everyone who is registered
to vote. You must be on the register to be able to vote. If
you are not on the register of electors you will need to fill in a
registration
form 
. A
registration form is sent to every home each autumn, but you can
register to vote at any time.
If you are on the register of electors, you will be sent a card
just before an election. This is called a poll card. It
tells you where and when to vote. Please note that you will be sent
a poll card even if you vote by post, the poll card is for
information only and you do not actually need it to cast your
vote.
On election day, go to the polling station. The polling
station is often a school or local hall near where you live.
'Polling' is another word for voting. Tell the staff inside
the polling station your name and address so they can check that
you're on the register. You can show them your poll card, but you
do not need it to vote.
The staff at the polling station will give you a list of the
people or parties you can vote for. This is called a ballot
paper. You may be given more than one ballot paper if there
is more than one election on the same day.
Go into a polling booth so that no one can see how you vote.
You will be asked to put a cross (X) in the box next to the
person or party you want to vote for. Do not write anything
else on the ballot paper or your vote may not be counted.
Fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box. If
you are not clear what to do, ask the staff at the polling station
to help you. Do not let anyone see your vote.
When the voting is over the votes are counted. The winner or
winners are the people with most votes. These people are
responsible for representing you. You can ask them about issues
that affect you, by phone, by letter or by email. You can also ask
to meet and speak to them in person.
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