How to vote in person
On election day, you can vote at a local polling station. This is very easy and our staff are always there to help.
If you are on the electoral register, you will get a poll card before the election telling you where and when to vote.
The poll card itself is for your information only. You do not need to take it to the polling station to vote.
The polling station is often a school or local hall near where you live.
On election day, go to your local polling station between 7am and 10pm
If you are disabled and need assistance, ask our staff in a polling station. They will be able to help you.
Tell the staff inside the polling station your name and address
They can check you are on the electoral register. You can show them your poll card, but you do not need it to vote.
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station. This new requirement applied for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday, 4 May 2023. Further information and full list of the form of ID that is acceptable is available on the Voter ID page.
The staff at the polling station will give you a ballot paper
The ballot paper lists the parties and candidates you can vote for. 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 so that no one can see how you vote
Read the ballot paper carefully. It will tell you how to cast your vote.
Mark your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box
A pencil will be provided for you to cast your vote, but you can use your own pen if you prefer.
If you use a pen, please ensure that the ink dries before you fold your ballot paper. If it smudges, your vote may not be counted.
Do not write anything else on the ballot paper or your vote may not be counted.
Do not let anyone see your vote.
Polling station accessibility
The voting process should be accessible to all voters. We offer a range of support for disabled voters to enable them to vote independently or with assistance. If you are not sure what to do or need help, please ask our staff at the polling station.
To help make polling stations accessible we provide:
- ramps where needed so polling stations are wheelchair accessible
- chairs/seating
- adapted level polling booth for wheelchair users
- large print versions of ballot papers are displayed to view
- pencil grips to attach to pens or pencils when marking the ballot paper
- magnifiers to use when reading guidance or marking the ballot paper
- Tactile Voting Device, to enable blind and partially sighted people to mark their ballot papers independently
- training for polling station staff based on how to assist people with visual impairments and blind people
- friendly and helpful polling station staff who will make reasonable adjustments where possible
- a privacy screen to show your photo ID in private upon request
- we have hearing loops available, if you need a hearing loop please call us or email us before the election day
Assistance with voting in a polling station
You can use any specialist devices or apps in the polling station that assist you to cast your vote independently. For example, speech apps, video magnifiers.
You can take your assistance animal with you in the polling station.
You can bring a companion with you to help you cast your vote. The companion must be 18 years old or over. They do not need to be registered to vote. A companion can only assist up to two people at the same election. The Presiding officer will need to fill in a form where the companion must sign a simple declaration.
Additional support
Please let the polling station staff know if you need any additional support to be able to exercise your right to vote.
For example, if you need:
- someone to read out the candidates on the ballot paper
- to be shown a large print ballot paper
- to use the Tactile Voting Device
- someone to help mark the ballot paper with your decision, either someone who has accompanied you or the polling station staff
- to be assisted in moving around the polling station
- If you have a learning disability and / or autism, you may need reasonable adjustments to support you to vote in an election. You can download and complete a Voting Passport (PDF, 204Kb) and take it with you when you go to the polling station.
If you would like to make a request before polling day for additional equipment or support in your polling station, please email [email protected] or call 01274 432287. Alternatively, complete this form for additional equipment and support (Word document) and return to Electoral Services, 3rd Floor, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY,
Further resources on accessibility
- My Vote My Voice is a campaign to support voting for people with learning disabilities and autistic - step-by-step guide to voting.
- GOV.UK has an easy read guide on applying for a Voter Authority Certificate
- BSL - information about what will happen at the polling station using British Sign Language.
Postal vote
You can receive your ballot paper by post if you do not want to go in person to a polling station. You can apply for a postal vote:
- online by visiting the GOV.UK website - apply for a postal vote page
- request a paper form be sent to your address
- or book an appointment to complete the form with a member of Electoral Services staff at City Hall – 01274 432287
As part of the postal vote application form, you will be asked to provide a signature. If you cannot provide a consistent signature for a postal vote, you can apply for a signature waiver.
The postal voting pack comes with a return envelope. You can return your completed postal pack by post, hand it in to Electoral Services Office, 3rd Floor, City Hall, Bradford or hand it in to a polling station on polling day.
Proxy vote
All electors are entitled to a proxy vote at a particular election. A proxy vote is when you get someone you trust to vote on your behalf. You should not be asked or told to appoint someone as a proxy voter. It is your choice alone and you should only appoint someone you trust.
You can apply for a proxy vote:
- online by visiting the GOV.UK website - apply for a proxy vote page
- request a paper form be sent to your address
- or book an appointment to complete the form with a member of staff at Electoral Services Office, 3rd Floor, City Hall, Bradford
You can apply for an ongoing proxy under specific circumstances such as blindness or other disabilities. Please contact us to provide you with the specific form as it is not one that can be completed online. You will need to get your form attested by someone such as a medical professional if you are applying due to a disability.
