Frequently Asked Questions

Voting, Postal Voting, Voting by Proxy and Election Results

This page provides information about Electoral Services provided by Wrexham County Borough Council for the Wrexham County Borough.


Voting

Postal Voting

Voting by Proxy

Election Results

Please also see information about Wrexham County Borough Council Electoral Services for contact information.


Voting

How do I find out where my polling station is?

Your polling station's location will be on the poll card that will be delivered to you before polling day. Alternatively, contact the Electoral Services to find out.

You can find your nearest Polling Station using our Find Your Nearest... search facility.

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How do I fill in the ballot paper?

This information will be provided by the polling clerk at your polling station. If you opted to vote by post, this information will be provided this information in your ballot pack.

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What are the polling hours for the next elections?

Polling hours are between 7am – 10pm for all elections. Make sure you look at your poll card delivered to you before the election to check that these times have not changed.

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Why haven't I received my poll card?

You can still vote even if you do not have a poll card, as long as you are on the electoral register. You should check with Electoral Services whether you are on the electoral register and report the fact that you have not received your poll card.

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Can I get help or a lift to the polling station?

If you are disabled and need help getting to the polling station, contact Electoral Services to find out what help is available. You can also ask to have a companion with you when you vote.

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Is my polling station accessible?

We try our best to use accessible buildings as polling stations but occasionally in some areas, despite our best efforts, this is not possible. Most polling stations in Wrexham have parking facilities in or around the polling station and have a designated disabled parking space.

Our polling staff give us feed back on the accessibility of buildings following each election but if you have concerns about the use of any particular building please contact Electoral services, and we will use the information to inform our next review our polling places.

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Postal Voting

I will be overseas temporarily on the day of the elections. How can I vote?

If you are overseas on election day, you can apply to vote either by post or by proxy (to have someone else vote for you).

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Who can apply for a postal vote?

Anyone who is registered to vote.

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How do I get a postal vote?

You can request a postal vote application form from Electoral Services. Fill it in and return it to Electoral Services.

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For what period does my postal vote last?

You can apply for just one election, for a specific time period, or for a permanent postal vote.

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Why do I need to give my date of birth and signature to get a postal or proxy vote?

The Electoral Administration Act 2006 introduced new measures to improve the security of postal and proxy votes. From 1 January 2007 all postal and proxy voters in England and Wales are required to give their date of birth and signature when applying for a postal or proxy vote.

Special provision can be made for those who are unable to sign the form. For more information please contact electoral services for more information.

Your signature and date of birth are separated from your ballot paper before being checked. Giving this information will not affect the secrecy of your vote.

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How secure is a postal vote?

It is an offence to complete a postal vote that is not your own, and to influence how others complete their postal vote. If you have any allegations of fraud, they should be referred to the police.

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Why haven't I received my postal ballot paper?

You should receive your postal ballot about one week before the election. If it doesn't arrive, you can get a replacement ballot paper in person from the Electoral Registration Officer up until 5pm on election day. Contact Electoral services for information.

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I've spoiled my ballot paper/postal voting statement. What do I do?

You can get a replacement up until 5pm on election day. You must pick it up in person from the Electoral Registration Officer at Ty Dewi Sant, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham. You will also need to return your spoilt ballot paper and the other parts of the ballot pack that were sent to you.

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I've lost my postal ballot paper. What do I do?

You can get a replacement ballot paper in person from the Electoral Registration Officer up until 5pm on election day.

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If I have applied for a postal vote, can I still vote at the polling station?

If you have applied to vote by post, you cannot vote in person at the polling station. However, on election day you can return you postal vote to the polling station (before 10pm) or to electoral services during office hours. If you do not want to post it or it is too late to post it, contact Electoral Services to find out where your polling station is.

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Voting by Proxy

Who can apply for a proxy vote?

You can only apply for a long-term proxy vote if you have a specific reason such as a disability or being overseas.

To vote by proxy for just one election, you must have a reason, for example you will be on holiday or away due to work.

If you are suddenly incapacitated or taken ill, you can apply to vote by proxy for medical reasons up until 5pm on polling day.

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A relative/friend has been suddenly incapacitated/taken ill. Can I vote on their behalf?

You can apply to vote by emergency proxy for medical reasons up until 5pm on polling day.

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How do I get a proxy vote?

You can apply for a new proxy up until 6 working days prior to an election and you can amend an existing proxy vote at any time before 11 working days prior to polling day. If you are suddenly incapacitated or taken ill, you can apply to vote by proxy for medical reasons up until polling day. All applications must be received before 5pm on specified day.

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Who can be my proxy?

Anyone who is eligible to vote in the election themselves can be your proxy. However, you can only be a proxy for up to two people who are not members of your immediate family. Your proxy can apply to vote by post on your behalf.

For further information, please contact electoral services.

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I've been made the proxy for someone. What do I need to do?

It's very simple to vote as someone's proxy. You will be sent a special proxy poll card with details of where you should go to vote.  If you can't attend the polling place you can vote by post. You must apply for this postal vote before 5pm on the 11th working day before polling day. Contact electoral services to find out how to do this.

If you are going to the polling place, just tell the staff there that you are voting as a proxy and they will tell you what to do. Don't forget to take your proxy poll card – this will make it easier for polling place staff to find the right ballot paper.

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What happens after I've applied?

  • Your proxy must go to your local polling place to vote. If your proxy cannot get to the polling place, they can apply to vote for you by post. They can apply to do this up to 11 days before Election Day. Your proxy will be sent a proxy poll card, telling them where and when to vote.
  • You must let your proxy know how you want them to vote on your behalf, for example, which candidate or which party.
  • If you are able to go to the polling station on Election Day, you can still vote in person as long as your proxy has not already done so or has not applied to vote by post for you.

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Election Results

How does the count work?

The count is managed locally by the Returning Officer.

Local Government Elections- At local elections, the result is worked out by the ‘First past the post' system. That means that the candidate with the most votes is elected.

National Assembly for Wales - At elections to the National Assembly for Wales around three-quarters of the seats are allocated using the 'first past the post' system. You also get a second regional vote for a Party. Each Party submits a list of candidates for each electoral region. The remaining seats are allocated to candidates on those lists according to which Party has the most regional votes, and how many seats that party has already won. An individual can stand as a regional candidate and is treated as though he or she were a party with only one name on their list. This voting method is called the 'Additional Members System'.

Parliamentary Elections - In a general election, every area in the country votes for one Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them in the House of Commons. There are 646 geographical areas, called constituencies.

Each eligible voter has one vote in their local constituency, and the candidate with the most votes becomes the MP for that area. This voting system is called 'first past the post'. Usually the political party with the most MPs then forms the government – though two or more parties with a combined majority of MPs may form a coalition government.

There has to be a general election at least every five years. The prime minister decides when to call an election. The last general election was on 5 May 2005, so the next election must be held by 2010.

If an MP dies or resigns between elections, there is a by-election in their constituency.
 At elections to Parliament the result is worked out by the ‘First past the post' system. That means that the candidate with the most votes is elected.

European Parliamentary Elections - At European elections MEPs are elected under a proportional representation system. In Britain, you have one vote to elect all of your MEPs. Each party puts forward a list of candidates, called a regional list, and you vote for one of these lists or for an independent candidate. The parties are then allocated a number of MEPs according to their share of the vote.

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When are the results announced?

This will depend on the election being held

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