Election Day

Why does the staff in the polling station write down my electoral number before they allow me to vote?

The law requires every ballot paper to have a unique serial number. The law also requires that a record is kept of the serial number of the ballot paper that is issued to every elector. That is why the staff in the polling station record the serial number of the ballot paper against the electoral number.

At the close of the poll, the documents which list the serial numbers of the ballot papers and the list of to whom they have been issued are sealed in special packets and cannot be opened unless a court order to do so is obtained.

The reason this is done is to enable checks to be made should a legal challenge be made to the result of the election. It is possible in UK law for the result of an election to be challenged through what is known as an election petition. It is possible for the eligibility of a single, or number, of electors’ right to vote to be challenged in the courts after an election. If the challenge is successful the court can order that the ballot papers of the electors who were not eligible to vote be retrieved and their votes discounted and the result of the election changed to reflect the removal of these votes from the total.

This is a very unusual occurrence and there are legal processes in place to protect the identity of electors and how they have voted from being discovered except in circumstances when a court orders that it should be done. There is only a very short period in which a challenge can be made – 21 days from the date of the election and if no challenge is made in that period all documents are subsequently destroyed.

If I make a mistake on the ballot paper in the polling station, can I have a new ballot paper?

If you spoil your ballot paper in the polling station you can ask the Presiding Officer to issue you with another one provided you have not put the first ballot paper you were given in the ballot box. You must hand the spoilt ballot paper intact to the Presiding Officer before you will be given another one. If you have already put your ballot paper into the ballot box you cannot be given another one.

What if I cannot get to the polling station on Election Day?

If you are unable to get to a polling station on Election Day, you can contact us for an application form to apply for an Absent Vote

There are two types:

Postal Vote - where your ballot paper is sent to you at the address you request. Completed applications must be received by the Electoral Registration Officer no later than 5.00 pm on 16th April if they are to be effective for the election on 1^st May 2008.

Proxy Vote - where you nominate someone to go to the polling station and vote on your behalf. Contact the elections helpline on 01793 463543 or e-mail us at elecreg@swindon.gov.uk for more information and an application form

I don’t know where my polling station is. How can I find out?

In the envelope in which your poll card was sent will be a leaflet with a map showing the location of your polling station.  If you can’t find that leaflet, you can call the elections helpline on Swindon (01793) 463543.

Must I have my poll card to vote?

No, although it will help the polling station staff to quickly find your name on the register if you have your poll card with you.

I don’t know who my candidates are, how can I find out?

For a list of candidates, please see: The Candidates

Don’t forget, due to resignations you can vote for two candidates in Parks Ward and Dorcan.

What is a tendered ballot?

A tendered ballot is a ballot provided to a voter who is recorded as having voted, but doesn’t think this is true.

This ballot, once completed, is not put into the ballot box, but is given to the Presiding Officer and placed in a separate packet.