Home > Elections > Voting advice

Voting advice

Coronavirus: Elections

The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections due to take place on Thursday 7th May 2020 has been postponed until Thursday 6th May 2021.

Other ESBC services affected by Coronavirus

How to cast your vote

Your poll card will tell you which polling station to use to cast your vote.

It helps if you take your poll card to the polling station, but you do not need it to vote as long as your name is on the register of electors.

If you don’t receive a poll card you can call the help line 01283 508376 to find out why.

If you have chosen to vote by post, you cannot vote in person at the polling station even if you receive an official poll card.

Voting procedure at the polling station

  • If you have any physical disabilities, look out for the special direction signs to gain easy access to the polling station.
  • Once inside the polling station go to the clerks’ table and give your name and address on the electoral register.
  • The presiding officer will give you your ballot paper which will show the official mark.
  • Take the ballot paper to one of the polling booths to cast your vote in secret.
  • Vote for no more than the amount of candidates shown at the top of the ballot paper, mark a cross (X) on the right hand side of the name of the persons you are voting for.
  • If you spoil your ballot paper you can show it to the presiding officer and ask for another one.
  • Once you have cast your vote, fold the paper in half and take it to the ballot box by the clerks’ table. Show the presiding officer the official mark before putting your vote in the box.
  • The presiding officer and poll clerk(s) can help you if you are not sure what to do.

EU Citizens and Voting in the UK

Every election and referendum in the UK has different rules about who is allowed to vote. These rules are defined by legislation. If you are an EU citizen, your residency and citizenship will affect which elections and referendums you can vote in.

EU citizens living in the UK, can vote in:

  • European Parliamentary elections
  • Local government elections
  • Police and Crime Commissioner elections

Depending on where you live, you may also be able to vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, London Mayor and Assembly, or National Assembly for Wales elections

EU citizens cannot vote in:

  • UK Parliamentary elections
  • The 2016 EU Referendum