Voting (including postal and proxy)
How do I know when to vote?
All citizens registered on the Electoral register will be sent a polling card before a few weeks before an election. The polling card will contain information, which includes when the election is to take place and where your allocated polling station is.
How to vote
Each member of the household who is eligible to vote should receive a poll card. You do not need to take the poll card with you to be able to vote, but it may help the process if you do so.
The hours of poll for all elections are 7.00 am - 10.00 pm
On arrival at your designated polling station the Presiding Officer will ask you to confirm your name and address and issue you with a ballot paper. You should take this ballot paper to the polling booth and mark an 'X' next to the candidate you wish to vote for. Fold the ballot paper in half and post it into the ballot box.
Who can Vote?
You can only vote in any elections held if your name is on the Register of Electors.
The following people are eligible to vote:
- people eighteen years or over on the date of the election.
- all British, Commonwealth, Irish and other European Union citizens.
- overseas electors.
- members of HM Forces and their spouses.
- crown servants employed outside the United Kingdom.
- European citizens are allowed to vote in European and Local elections only.
- overseas Electors are allowed to vote in Parliamentary and European Elections only
What if I am unable to get to a polling station?
If you are unable to get to your designated polling station on election day, you can make an Absent Vote.
There are two types of Absent Vote:
- Postal Vote - where your ballot paper is sent to you at the address you request.
- Proxy Vote - where you nominate someone to go to the polling station and vote on your behalf
Postal voting
Anyone can request a postal vote for any reason, (though they would still need to be on the electoral register for it to be allowed).
The postal vote means that the elector does not need to go to his/her polling station on election day, as the ballot paper will be sent directly to the elector approximately 2 weeks prior to the day of the election. It can be sent to your home or to an address of your choice, even abroad.
You should bear in mind however, that the ballot paper must be received back at the Elections Office by Election Day. To request a postal vote application call 0151 233 3028 or you can download a form here Please note that the deadline for receipt of postal application forms for the elections held on 1st May 2008 is 5pm on Wednesday 16th April.
Proxy voting
You can have a proxy vote if you cannot get to your polling station on Election Day. A proxy vote means that you appoint someone to go along to your polling station and cast your vote for you.
Can I apply for a proxy vote?
You can apply for a proxy vote as long as you are on the electoral register. When you apply for a proxy vote you have to provide a reason, for example, you are away on holiday or you are in hospital. If you want a proxy vote for a set period of time or for all future elections, you must have one of the following reasons.
- You are registered as a service voter;
- You are registered as an overseas elector;
- You have a physical disability;
- You are away from home due to your job or you are on a course;
- You have to travel by air or sea to get to your polling station.
In all the above cases, except if you are registered blind, someone has to certify on your application that the reason is valid, for example, your employer or doctor.