When an election is called, each registered elector, will be sent a Poll Card advising where and when they can vote. These cards will usually be sent out approximately 2 weeks before the election. You do not need to take the card with you to the polling station.

If you have applied for either a postal or a proxy vote we will send you separate notification.

Postal and Proxy voting

Full instructions are sent to you or your Proxy in advance of the Election.

 At the polling station

Usually there are two people at each polling station (a presiding officer and a poll clerk) however, at busy stations there may be an extra poll clerk.   They will ask you for your address and will confirm your full name. When the details have been confirmed a mark is made on the electoral register to show that you have voted, and you will not be able to vote again in the same election.   You will be handed a ballot paper, which lists all the candidates standing for election. You should then go to one of the polling compartments and mark your ballot paper clearly with an X beside the candidate you wish to vote for.   The Presiding Officer is there to help you and you may ask for their assistance in marking the ballot paper. Any discussions will remain confidential.

If you make a mistake you can ask for another ballot paper but you must not place the spoilt paper in the ballot box, instead you should hand this to the polling staff explaining that you have spoilt your vote. You will be given a replacement which, when you have voted, should be placed in the ballot box.

  You should then place the ballot paper into the ballot box. Each ballot box will be taken to the count centre and counted with all the other votes from other stations being used for the election.