Polling stations & voting at elections
Summary
At election time we receive many questions about the election process, such as who can and can’t vote, and how to go about doing it. The most common questions we get are answered below.
We are currently reviewing our polling districts and the locations of our polling stations, as part of a consultation that ends on 17 September 2007. Find out how you can have your say on our Polling districts & polling places review page.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is eligible to vote?
- How do I cast my vote?
- Where's my polling station?
- What if I am unable to get to the polling station on election day?
- When is the next election?
Who is eligible to vote?
- You have to be18 years or over to vote at an election;
- All British, Commonwealth, Irish and other European Union citizens are allowed to vote in UK elections;
- European Union citizens are allowed to vote in European and local elections only;
- Overseas electors are allowed to vote in Parliamentary and European elections only;
- To vote at an election you must be on the Electoral register.
How do I vote?
Voting at a polling station
Poll cards are delivered shortly before an election. Each member of the household who is allowed to vote should receive a poll card, which tells you of the date of the election, where your polling station is and the hours of the poll. You do not need to take the poll card with you to be able to vote.
When to vote
For all types of elections - local, general, parliamentary and European - the hours of poll are 7.00am to 10.00pm. See our page on Types of elections for a summary of these different election types.
At the polling station
When you get to your polling station, the Presiding Officer (the person responsible for the Polling Station) will ask you to confirm your name and address and give you a ballot paper. The ballot paper will be marked with an official stamp, and will say how many candidates you may vote for.
You should take the ballot paper to the voting booth and mark with an "X" next to your chosen candidate(s). Fold the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.
Where's my polling station?
Before any election a poll card will be sent to you, and this will have the address of the polling station. During the run up to elections we also publish the addresses and maps of polling stations on our website.
What if I am unable to get to the polling station on election day, can I still vote?
If you prefer, you can apply to vote by post or proxy (a proxy is someone who votes on your behalf). Find out more about voting by post or proxy voting. Application forms for each type are available from these pages. In both cases only signed forms can be accepted.
When is the next election?
The next local election is due to take place in 2011. Dates of the next general or European elections will be published here once we know them.
Related pages on this website
External links
www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Information on voting & elections from the Electoral Commission. You can put in your postcode and find out what elections are due to take place in your area.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Electoral Services Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | register@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533686/7 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
