Voting at a polling station
If you are registered to vote we will send you a poll card just before an election telling you where and when to vote.
You can only vote at the polling station stated on your poll card
Polling stations are open from 7:00am to 10:00pm on polling day. You can find the location of your polling station here.
You can still vote even if you have lost your polling card. If you have not received a polling card but think you should have done contact us using the contact details below.
Post:
Electoral Services Office
Tamworth Borough Council
Marmion House
Lichfield Street
Tamworth
B79 7BZ
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01827 214155 (office hours only)
Access for voters with disabilities
Everyone should be able to cast their vote without facing barriers. They should be able to vote on their own and in secret.
Disabled voters will be able to choose anyone who is over 18 to accompany them in the polling station to help them vote. You can also ask the person in charge of the polling station, known as the Presiding Officer, to help you fill in your ballot paper. They are legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy and your vote will remain secret.
We will also take all reasonable steps to support voters with disabilities to improve the range and quality of support.
When you get to the polling station
You can take your polling card with you to show who you are, but you do not have to.
Give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive and have your photographic ID ready for inspection.
You will be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or other options you can vote for.
Filling in your ballot paper
- Take your ballot paper into a polling booth.
- Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote.
- Put it in the ballot box.
Giving information to tellers
Tellers outside polling stations work for political parties and candidates. They might ask you for some information, like your electoral number. You do not have to give them the information they ask for, but you can if you want to.
Voting by post
Recently there have been changes made to the process of how electors apply to vote by post.
You can now apply online to vote by post. You will need to prove your identity when applying, by providing your National Insurance number.
You can apply to vote by post online here
Postal vote applications must include your:
- name
- address
- date of birth
- national insurance number (NINO) - or a suitable reason why you cannot provide it
This personal information contained is then checked against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) records.
If you fail the DWP check, or if you are unable to provide a NINO, we will contact you to provide documentary evidence to confirm your identity.
How long can I have my postal vote for?
- your postal vote will last for up to three years
You must reapply after three years, and we will contact you when the time comes to reapply.
Reapply for a postal vote
If you had an existing postal vote in place before 31 October 2023, you do not need to reapply until January 2026.
Voting by proxy
Recently there have been changes made to the process of how electors apply to vote by proxy.
You can now apply for some types of proxy vote online. You will need to prove your identity when applying, by providing your National Insurance number.
You can apply to vote by proxy online here
Other ways to apply
If you cannot apply online, download and fill in a proxy voting application form and return it to:
Electoral Services Office, Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, B79 7BZ.
Proxy applications must include your:
- name
- address
- date of birth
- national insurance number (NINO) - or a suitable reason why you cannot provide it
This personal information contained is then checked against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) records.
If you fail the DWP check, or if you are unable to provide a NINO, we will contact you to provide documentary evidence to confirm your identity.
How long can I have my proxy vote for?
Proxy voters can continue to put in place proxy arrangements for a particular election.
Request a permanent proxy vote
In some circumstances, you may request a permanent proxy vote. This can only be granted if any of the following apply to you:
- have a disability.
- away from home due to your employment, service or you are on an educational course.
- Crown Servant or British Council employee.
- British Citizen registered as an overseas voter.
If you are applying for a permanent proxy vote due to a disability or employment, your application may need to be signed by your doctor or employer - except if you are registered blind. These types of proxy vote applications cannot be made online and you must download and complete a paper proxy vote application form.
All permanent proxy vote applications will be subject to a three yearly eligibility check and a five yearly signature refresh.