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How do I vote?

Shortly before an election, poll cards are delivered to household members who are registered to vote. The card will tell you the election date, where your polling station is and the hours of the poll. You do not need to take this card with you to vote, but it will help the polling staff at the station if you do.

The following steps explain how to vote at your polling station on election day:

1. On election day, go to your local polling station. Opening hours are 7am to 10pm.
2. Give the staff your name and address so they can check that you are on the electoral register.
3. The staff will give you a ballot paper listing the candidates and parties you can vote for. You may be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election on the same day.  If you have a visual impairment, you can ask for a special voting device that allows you to vote on your own in secret.
4. Take your ballot paper into a polling booth so that nobody can see how you vote.  Mark a cross in the box to the right of the candidate's name you want to vote for. Do not write anything else on the paper or your vote may not be counted.
5. Finally, when you have marked your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box. Do not let anyone see your vote.

What if I don't receive a poll card?
Ring 443 2222 and check you are included on the electoral register.  It may just be an error in the delivery process or printing of the poll card, or it may be that your ward is uncontested.  However, if it is confirmed that you are definitely not included on the electoral register, there are special dates put in place at election time and you may still have time to get yourself registered in time to vote.