You can vote in person at the polling station, where staff will verify your identity and guide you through the process of casting your vote.
Your poll card tells you when the election will be held and where to go to cast your vote. It will make it easier to find you on the electoral register if you take the poll card with you to the polling station, but you can still vote without it.
Staff at the polling station will check your photo ID then ask you to confirm your name and address. You will then be issued with a folded ballot paper.
You should take the ballot paper to one of the voting booths and mark an "X" in the box(es) on the right-hand side of the paper against the name of the candidate(s) you wish to vote for. The maximum number of votes you can make is detailed at the top of the ballot paper and will also be displayed on a notice in the polling booth.
If you make a mistake or spoil your paper you can take it back to the presiding officer and request they issue you with another. You must return your spoilt paper to the presiding officer.
You may use your own pen/pencil to mark the ballot paper.
Your poll card
You’ll be sent a poll card just before an election or referendum telling you when to vote and at which polling station.
You can only vote at the polling station location on your card.
If you have not received a poll card but think you should, contact your local Electoral Services office
You can still vote if you’ve lost your poll card. You do not have to take your poll card with you to vote.
If you do not have your card and need to check which polling station to go to, contact your local Electoral Services office
When you can vote
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May 2026.
When you get to the polling station
Give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive.
You’ll need to show your photo ID to confirm your identity in some elections and referendums.
You’ll be given a ballot paper with a list of the people, parties or options you can vote for.
Filling in your ballot paper
Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote.
Voting if you have a disability
If you have a disability, you can speak to your local Electoral Services office about:
- Physical access, for example wheelchair ramps and disabled parking spaces
- Low-level polling booths
- Any other equipment or adjustments you need
Every polling station must provide at least one large print display version of the ballot paper.
