Voting
This page is about where and how to vote at elections.
Why it is important to vote
Voting is your chance to elect the person or political party you believe will best represent your interests. It is important you vote, not only in General and European Elections, but in local ones as well.
Elected representatives take decisions that impact upon every aspect of your life - at a local, County, Regional, National, European and global level. The range of decisions is endless ranging from something as simple as provision of a pedestrian crossing to world affairs.
Your local elected representatives also play an important role in acting as advocates on your behalf.
Can anyone vote?
You can only vote in elections if your name is on the electoral register (also known as electoral roll).
People who are entitled to register to vote are:
- British Citizens
- Citizens of the Irish Republic
- Citizens of other European Countries - E.U. Citizens can vote at local government and European Parliamentary Elections only
- Qualifying Commonwealth citizens. This means Commonwealth citizens who have leave to enter or remain in the UK or do not require such leave.
Use the following link to find a list of European Union and Commonwealth Countries.
You can download a Voter Registration Form
Once completed the form should be returned to the:
Electoral Registration Officer
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
Surrey, RH2 0SH.
In order to vote in a particular Election this form has to be received by the Electoral Registration Officer by no later than the 11th working day before polling day.
Poll cards and where to vote
Poll cards are delivered to all eligible electors by Royal Mail three or four weeks before an election.
Each member of the household who has not asked for a postal vote and is registered to vote should receive a poll card, which states the date of the election and the hours of the poll.
The Poll card will usually include a map showing the location of your polling station.
If you do not receive a poll card before an election, but think you are registered to vote, please telephone the Council Helpline on 01737 276000.
If you are registered for a postal vote there are separate poll cards arrangements. See below.
How to vote
On arrival at your designated polling station, the Poll Clerk will ask you to confirm your name and address and will issue you with a ballot paper. The ballot paper will be marked with an official mark.
Take the ballot paper to the voting booth and mark ‘X’ to the right of the candidate(s) you wish to vote for. Deposit your completed ballot paper in the ballot box.
If you have been issued with a postal vote you will not be able to vote in person at a polling station.
If you require assistance on voting particularly if you have a disability, you should approach the polling station staff on the day of the poll. Polling station staff are trained to assist voters.
Hours of poll
The hours of poll for all elections are from 7am to 10pm.
Postal and proxy voting
If you are unable to go to your Polling Station on Election Day, you can apply to vote by post or proxy (a proxy is someone who votes on your behalf). All registered electors can vote by post on request.
Contact
Email elreg@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
Last updated : 02/09/2011
