Voting at a polling station
Everyone who is on the Electoral Register and eligible to vote in an election will automatically be able to cast their vote at their designated, local polling station. If this is the case, you should receive a poll card a couple of weeks before polling day. This will give you the details of the election and the address of the polling station you need to go to in order to cast your vote. You can take the poll card with you to the polling station, but you are not required to do so.
How do I cast my vote?
You need to attend your designated polling station. Stations are open between 7am and 10pm (please note that doors will close at 10pm sharp).
The procedure for voting is as follows:
- Go to the desk and you will be asked to state your name and address (even if you produce your poll card)
- Tell the staff your name and address and they will check if you are registered
- If you are registered the staff will ask to see one of the valid forms of ID
- Staff will check your ID and if this is correct, will issue you with a ballot paper
- Take your ballot paper to the voting booth
- Read the instructions in the booth and mark your ballot paper
- When you have marked your ballot paper, fold it so that nobody can see how you have voted
- Put your folded ballot paper into the ballot box
- If you need any help, please ask the staff
After the close of poll the ballot box is sealed and taken to the count venue where it is opened and counted.
What happens if I do not have a valid form of identification?
If you do not have one of the valid forms of identification you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.
What happens if I cannot attend the polling station?
You can chose to vote by post (when your ballot papers are sent to you) or you can vote by proxy (when you can appoint someone to vote on your behalf), subject to receipt of the relevant completed form by the statutory deadline.
Find your polling station
The polling station maps show the official polling place for each polling district. However these may be changed at short notice in emergency situations. We recommend checking your poll card to confirm your polling station.