Every day, vital decisions affecting all our lives are taken by Members of Parliament and local councillors elected by the people. These decisions cover many issues, including education and employment, housing, the environment, leisure and social services. You can help choose your representatives. Make sure you have your say - use your right to vote. If you don't you will lose your chance to influence the way things are run in the country, or your part of it. All votes are equal - your vote is as important as anyone else's.
Eligibility
- You must be 18 years or over.
- Your name must be on the Electoral Register otherwise you cannot vote. You can check that it is at the Electoral Services Office, Bromley Civic Centre. If it is not, staff will advise you on the procedure and timetable for inclusion.
Voting at a polling station
All qualified electors should receive a polling card a couple of weeks before an election. This tells you which one of the polling stations you should vote at, when it will be open and how to vote.
You can take your poll card with you when you vote, but you are not required to do so.
In the polling station, you give your name and address and are given a ballot paper. You go to a booth, cast your vote in secret and put it in the sealed ballot box. The ballot boxes are only opened after the polling stations have closed, when they are taken to a central count venue.
Voting by post
You can choose to vote by post rather than going to your polling station. You do not have to give us a reason, as postal voting is now available on demand.
You will need to complete a postal vote application form. We will then send your ballot paper to your home address or an address of your choice. You then post your vote back to us.
When you apply, you will need to tell us how long you want your postal vote to last and which elections you want it for.
The deadline for new applications is 5pm on the eleventh working day before the election.
Postal ballot papers are usually sent out about a week before the election (due to government regulations postal ballot papers cannot be sent out any earlier than 11 days before the election). They go by first-class post for return in a special first-class reply envelope. The Royal Mail should treat postal votes as a priority.
Instructions on how to complete and return your postal vote are included. The postal vote will be accompanied by a 'declaration of identity', which has to signed by someone who confirms who you are.
These documents can then be sent back free of charge (in the UK) using any post box, or handed into the Council offices or a polling station in the electoral area – they must be received before polling stations close on the day of the election. Postal votes received by us after this time cannot be included in the count.
We are now allowed to send postal ballot papers to addresses overseas. However, because of the short amount of time for you to receive and send the papers back, you may prefer to appoint a proxy (see below).
If you have a postal vote, you cannot change your mind and vote in person at your polling station on the day of the election.
Voting by proxy
You can apply for someone to vote on your behalf. This person is called a ‘proxy’. You will need to complete a proxy application form.
The law is stricter on the appointment of a proxy. You will need to give a reason why you cannot vote in person, such as disability or employment. You can apply for one election only or for a longer term. Long-term applications usually have to be supported by a doctor, employer or course tutor, depending on the reason why you are applying.
When you appoint a proxy, they have to attend your local polling station and will be given your ballot paper to cast your vote on your behalf. This may not be convenient for them, so they can ask to vote on your behalf by post. Postal proxy arrangements are useful if your proxy lives outside your area. Please contact the Electoral Services for further information.
You can still vote in person if you get to your polling station before your proxy. If they are voting for you by post, however, you will not be able to vote yourself.
People with disabilities
We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to vote. Most of our polling stations have wheelchair access and low-level polling booths. Large-print ballot papers and the use of a tactile template and magnifying glass are available at all polling stations. In addition, anyone with a disability is permitted to have a companion to help them vote. Our staff are trained to be aware of any voters who may need assistance, including those with language difficulties, and will offer all available help.
If you have any concerns about voting, please e-mail electoral@bromley.gov.uk or call 020 8313 4364.
Further information
Frequently asked questions about voting
Contact
Telephone: 020 8313 4364
Fax: 020 8313 4995
e-mail: electoral@bromley.gov.uk
Address: Electoral Services
Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH.
Office hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:45pm