Voting at the polling station, by post or by proxy
Last updated: 22 January 2013 12:32If you are registered to vote you will receive a poll card shortly before an election. This will tell you where your polling station is, what day the election is being held and other election information. Your polling station is most likely be a school, community centre or church hall near where you live. The poll card is for your information - you do not need to take it to the polling station in order to vote, though it will save time if you do.
How to vote at a polling station
On election day, go to the polling station shown on your poll card, which will be open from 7.00am to 10.00pm. Tell the polling staff your name and address - they will check that you are on the electoral register. Your poll card may help with this.
You will be given a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for - and you may be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election on the same day. Take your ballot paper into a polling booth, read it carefully, and mark a cross (X) next to the candidate(s) you wish to vote for. Do not write anything else on the ballot paper or your vote may not be counted. Do not let anyone see your vote. When you have marked your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it into the ballot box.
If you are unable to vote in person you can apply to vote by post or you can appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf.
Voting by post
If you choose to vote by post your ballot papers are posted directly to your home address approximately 10 days before the election. You then simply mark your vote on the ballot paper, complete the postal vote statement with your date of birth and signature and then post this back to us. It is possible to have your ballot papers delivered to an address other than your home address provided that you state the reason for this.
If you wish to vote by post before an election, please note that your application to vote by post (form available to download below) must be received by 5pm on the 11th working day before the election.
If you apply to vote by post you will not be able to vote in person at the polling station.
Application to vote by post (0.11 MB)
Voting by proxy
If you choose to appoint a proxy (someone to vote for you) that person will vote on your behalf at the polling station for your address. If your proxy is unable to get to your polling station they may apply to vote on your behalf by post. Please visit the Electoral Commission site About my vote to download the correct application form by choosing the reason for your proxy vote.
You or your proxy can vote, but not both.
Further information and advice on how to vote may be found on the Electoral Commission's website About my vote.
If you have any questions please contact the Election Services Office by phone on 023 9283 4074, or by email at elections@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
