Elections in Worcester

Register to vote

Now is the time to get prepared and ensure you are on the Electoral Register. Don't lose your right to Vote!

If you're not on the Electoral Register, you cannot vote. So if you have recently moved house, are about to become 18, or have never registered, you should register now. You can register online at the gov.uk website or let us have your name and address so we can send you a form in the post.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to supply your national insurance number and date of birth during this process.

For further details about the register can be found on our Electoral Register page.

Voter ID

Voters in Worcester will need to show photo ID to vote in a polling station.

The following forms of ID will be accepted:

• Passport
• Driving licence
• Certain concessionary travel passes
• ID bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram
• Certain Government-issued documents

You can use an expired ID if the photo still looks like you. The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote. You must bring original documents - photocopies or digital ID are not accepted.

If you do not have acceptable ID, or the photo no longer looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

For more information, a full list of acceptable ID, or to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, please visit the Electoral Commission website.

What if I am unable to get to the polling station on election day?

If you are unable to go to your Polling Station on Election Day, you can apply to vote by post or apply to vote by proxy (a proxy is someone who votes on your behalf).

Please note; you must be a registered elector in order to be granted a postal or proxy vote. To check if you are registered please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and include your name and address. You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

What is a postal vote?

A postal vote means that you receive your ballot paper by post before the election and return it the same way. Instructions on how to complete the postal vote will be included with the ballot paper.

If you have a postal vote you will not be allowed under any circumstances to vote in person at the polling station.

You can apply for a postal vote at a particular election, a specific period, or for the maximum period of up to three years.

You do not need to provide a reason for requesting a postal vote unless you are requesting it be sent to an address other than your registered address.

You can apply for a postal vote online at the gov.uk website.

If you need a paper form, you can download a copy from the Electoral Commission website or contact us and we can post one to you.

If you have already been appointed as a proxy for another elector and you wish to receive your proxy vote by post you need to complete a slightly different paper form, please contact us for this.

Applications for a postal vote must be received no later than 5pm, 11 working days before an election. This is also the deadline for an existing postal voter to cancel, or make any changes to, your postal vote.

What is a proxy vote?

A proxy vote allows you to appoint another person to vote on your behalf, either at a polling station or by post, the person you appoint must be a registered elector. To be eligible to appoint a proxy, you must give a reason for your inability to attend the polling station.

for example:

• You have a physical disability.
• Your job takes you away from home on a permanent or unpredictable basis, or on the day of the election.
• You will be on holiday when the election takes place.

If you are applying to appoint a proxy for the long-term, and are not registered as an Overseas or Service voter, you will also need to provide evidence or a supporting attestation for your disability or employment.

If you appoint a proxy and your circumstances change so that you are able to get to the polling station, you may vote yourself provided that the proxy has not already voted on your behalf or applied to cast your vote by post.

If you are applying for a proxy for a particular election, or are an Overseas or Service voter applying for a long-term proxy, you can apply online at the gov.uk website.

If you cannot apply online, or are applying for a long-term proxy for reasons of disability or employment, you can download a paper form from the Electoral Commission website or contact us and we can post one to you.

Applications for a proxy vote must be made no later than 5pm, 6 working days before an election. If your circumstances change after this date you may be able to apply for an emergency proxy. You can apply for this up to 5pm on polling day but you may need to provide evidence or a supporting declaration. Please contact the Electoral Services team to apply.

Please return all completed Application Forms to:

Electoral Registration Officer
Worcester City Council
The Guildhall
High Street
Worcester
WR1 2EY

If in any doubt please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How and where do I vote?

At the time of an election, full details of the election timetable and voting arrangements will be publicised widely. We will create a new page on this website with the deadlines and information about the upcoming election.

If you registered to vote, and are eligible to vote in the election, we will send you a poll card telling you the date and time of the election and the address of your polling station.

We also send our polling station information to Democracy Club who have created a polling station look-up tool based on your postcode.

You will also be sent a poll card if you vote by post or are a proxy voter. The poll card is for information only; you do not actually need it to cast your vote but, if one does not arrive please do This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check that you are registered to vote.

What happens at the polling station?

1. Tell the clerk your name and address
2. You will then be asked to show your ID. You can find out more information about Voter ID, including a list of which documents are acceptable and how to apply for a free Voter ID, on the Electoral Commission website.
3. Take your ballot paper to the voting booths. Mark your ballot paper according to the instructions found on the ballot paper itself, and on posters in the polling station. This is usually done by marking a cross (X) on the right-hand side of the paper opposite the name of the candidate you are voting for, however different elections may have different instructions and in some elections you may be able to vote for more than one candidate, so please read them carefully. Do not put any other marks or comments on the paper or your vote may not be counted.
4. Fold the ballot paper in two. Place the ballot paper in the ballot box. Do not let anyone see your vote - it is nobody's business but your own.
5. If you are voting as a proxy on behalf of somebody else, please explain this to the polling station staff. If you are also voting for yourself, they may ask you to do this first and then give you the other person's ballot paper.

Do I need my polling card to vote?

No. If you have lost your poll card you will just need to give your name and address to the staff in the Polling Station, who will confirm your eligibility to vote. If you never received a poll card, please contact the Electoral Registration team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check that you are registered.

How can I check if I am on the register?

If you This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and address we can confirm if you are currently registered. Alternatively, you can view the register in person, see our Electoral Register page for more details.

If you are having issues with your credit score you may wish to check with us that you are registered and that your address is accurate. The full register is provided monthly to those credit reference agencies that are legally entitled to it and have requested it. If you are still having difficulties, we can post a certificate of registration to you which confirms that you are currently registered.

How and where do I vote?

At the time of an election, full details of the election timetable and voting arrangements will be publicised widely. We will create a new page on this website with the deadlines and information about the upcoming election.

If you registered to vote, and are eligible to vote in the election, we will send you a poll card telling you the date and time of the election and the address of your polling station. You can also find your polling station based on your postcode from the link below.

Find your polling station

Use of schools and rooms for public meetings by Election Candidates and Agents

The Council maintains a list of schools and rooms that can be booked by candidates to promote their candidature between the last day of publication of the Notice of Election (or the receipt of Writ at a PGE) and the day preceding the date of Poll.

• pdf Rooms for Use by Candidates and Agents.pdf  (81 KB) (PDF)

Candidates and agents should contact the owner of the premises to make a booking, giving reasonable notice to reduce the risk of the request being refused.

There is no hire charge for using these rooms, but you must pay for any expenses incurred, such as heating, lighting and cleaning, and for any damage to the premises.

The right to use schools does not include hours during which a school is used for educational purposes, and any prior letting must take precedence.

Contact

If you have any queries please contact Electoral Service

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel:  01905 722530
Address: Electoral Registration Officer, Guildhall, High Street, Worcester WR1 2EY