Vote in person

How to vote in person

If you're voting in person, you should:

Before visiting the polling station please consider:

• Check you have an acceptable form of photo ID to enable you to vote.
• A full list of acceptable photo ID can be found of the government website. Expired photo ID can also be used if you are still recognisable from the photo.
• If you do not have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate for the purpose of voting. You can apply for this at Apply for free voter ID
• If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or you would like to request a paper application form, please Contact Electoral Services.

At the polling station:

• Go to the polling station, which is stated on your polling card. If you're unsure where this is, use our postcode lookup to find it - Map showing electoral boundaries and polling stations.
• When you arrive at the polling station, be sure to read all signage carefully and follow the instructions you are given.
• Polling staff will ask for your name and address. If you have your polling card, it will make it easier for us to find your name on the electoral register. 
• Polling staff will also look at your photo ID to verify your identity. The Presiding Officer will issue you your ballot paper(s).
• To guard against duplicate voting, we will mark your name on the electoral register.
• Take the paper to one of the polling booths, which are screened to ensure secrecy. Mark each ballot paper(s), as per instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on top of the ballot paper(s). If you make a mistake or spoil your ballot paper(s), you can take it back to the presiding officer and ask for another.
• Fold the ballot paper(s), so other people cannot see your choice, post the ballot paper(s) in the ballot box.
   

Bring your own pen or pencil

We recommend that you bring your own pen or pencil to clearly mark your ballot paper. We will still provide pencils as usual, but any transmission risk is significantly reduced if you use your own.

Poll card

Although not essential, you may wish to bring your poll card with you on the day, in addition to an accepted form of voter ID, as it will speed up the voting process. Polling station staff can dispose of this for you securely, or if you prefer you can take it away and dispose of it yourself.

If you've lost your poll card letter, you don't need it to vote. If you're not sure where to your polling station is, use our postcode lookup - Map showing electoral boundaries and polling stations.

Recently moved house

If you are registered to vote, but have not registered your new address, you can still vote using your previous address, as this is where you are registered on the electoral roll.

To check where the polling station for your old address is, use our postcode lookup - Map showing electoral boundaries and polling stations.

Other ways to vote

If you are concerned about visiting the polling station to cast your vote, or you are unable to visit the polling station. Please be aware that you can arrange to have a postal vote. This means that the ballot paper(s) will be sent to your address for you to complete and post back to us. For more information go to Apply to vote by post.

Voters will not need to show photo ID in order to apply by post or proxy and any long-standing postal voters will not be affected and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual.

You can also apply to vote by proxy vote if you are unable to go to your polling station. By proxy means that you appoint someone you trust to vote on your behalf. For more information go to Apply to vote by proxy.

If you choose to vote by proxy then the person who you have trusted to vote on your behalf will have to take their own identification to be issued with a ballot paper.