How do I vote?

Voting gives you a chance to voice your opinion on important issues that affect you, your local area and your country.

How to vote

There are 3 ways to vote:

Voting in person by visiting your nearest polling station on polling day
If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post
If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote

You will receive a poll card in the post approximately 3 to 4 weeks before polling day and the poll card will show you which of the 3 ways you have chosen to vote. It will also provide details on how you can change your method of voting and deadlines for doing this.

Don’t forget make sure you’re registered to vote and if not you can apply online https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Voting in person

When you vote in person, you go to the polling station allocated to you based on your address on the electoral register.

Before you go to vote, check where your polling station is. It might not be the closest one to where to you live, and it might have changed since the last time you voted. You have to go to your allocated polling station, and you can't go to a different one close to where you work, for example.

Your polling station will be on your poll card, which you'll receive through the post a few weeks before polling day. You can vote there between 7am and 10pm on polling day.

For UK Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, you need to take photo ID to confirm your identity before you can vote.

Find out what type of photo ID is accepted

You will need to give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive. Depending on which election is being held, you might have to show your photo ID.

You will be given a ballot paper which has details of how to vote and the voting options for the poll or referendum. If you need any help to cast your vote, please ask the staff in the polling station.

Find out more about voting in person

Voting by post

Instead of going to your polling station you can apply to vote by post. You can apply for a postal vote if you’re away on holiday or because your work schedule means you can't get to polling station. You can also choose to vote by post simply because it would be more convenient for you.

You do not need photo ID to vote by post.

Download postal voting application form on the electoral commission website

Once you have completed this form you will need to print and return it to us at the following address:

Electoral Services,
Flintshire County Council,
County Hall,
Mold
CH7 6NR

If you don't have access to a printer, then you can email register@flintshire.gov.uk to request that we post an application form to you.

Find out more about voting by post

Voting by proxy

If you are unable to go to the polling station on polling day you can ask someone you trust to cast your vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote and the person casting your vote is often referred to as your proxy. If your trusted person can’t get to the polling station, they can apply to vote on your behalf by post. This is called a postal proxy vote.

Download proxy vote application forms on the electoral commission website