You can vote in an election in one of three ways (you will need to be registered to vote first).
Voting at the polling station
- If you are registered to vote, you will receive a polling card around one month before the date of the election.
- On the day of the election, go to the polling station specified on your polling card, any time between 7am and 10pm.
- You will be asked to confirm your name and address, or you can hand in your polling card. You don’t need your polling card to vote though, so don’t worry if you lose it or forget to take it with you.
You will also be asked to show an approved form of photo ID when it is Parliamentary or Police and Crime Commissioner elections. If you are unsure whether the form of photo ID you currently have is accepted, you’ll find a full list here: GOV.UK: How to vote: Photo ID you'll need (external link).
A private area will be available should you choose to have your photo ID viewed in private. This might be a separate room, or an area separated by a privacy screen, depending on the polling station.
If you do not have a type of photo ID that allows you to vote, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. - After confirming your details and showing your photo ID, you will be given a ballot paper. Put an ‘X’ next to the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. Do not put any other marks on the ballot paper, or your vote may not be counted.
Accessible Voting
Voting and elections should be easily accessible to everyone who has the legal right to vote, whether they have a disability or not. We know that some people will need more support than others to use their vote – and our elections team will be happy to help.
At the polling station on election day there will be a low-level disabled polling booth suitable for use with a wheelchair.
Large print notices of ballot papers will be available to view in every polling station, these can be used as reference, but you must still cast your vote on a standard print ballot paper as required by law.
An aid known as a tactile device will be available to enable blind or visually impaired voters to vote without assistance. Please ask staff at the polling station about this device. You will also be able to ask the Presiding Officer (the person in charge of the polling station) to assist you, they are legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy so your vote will remain secret.
Pencil grips are available for voters with dexterity impairments to more easily hold, and use, a pencil independently.
Polling staff will be wearing badges so they can easily be identified. This is to help voters more easily identify who is a member of staff and can be approached for assistance.
If you, or someone you know, needs help to register or to vote, please contact the elections team on 01978 292020.
United Response have created an easy-read practice ballot paper that you can view by downloading the Easy read guide to voting in local elections in Wales (external link).
Voting by post
Anyone who is registered to vote can request to vote by post, instead of going to a polling station.
If you wish to vote by post you will need to complete an application form. This is available on the Electoral Commission website.
You do not need photo ID to vote by post.
Once you have completed this form you will need to print and return it to us at the following address: Electoral Services, The Guildhall, Wrexham, LL11 1AY.
If you don't have access to a printer, then you can email electoral@wrexham.gov.uk to request that we post an application form to you.
Voting by proxy
A proxy vote means that you choose someone you trust to vote on your behalf if you are unable to vote in person.
Anyone who is registered to vote can request to vote by proxy (but you will need to provide a reason why you can't get to your polling station in person). If you wish to vote by proxy you will need to complete an application form. This is available 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, The Guildhall, Wrexham, LL11 1AY.
If you don't have access to a printer, then you can email electoral@wrexham.gov.uk to request that we post an application form to you.
If you choose to vote by proxy, then the person who you have trusted to vote on your behalf will have to take their own photo ID. If they do not have photo ID, they will not be given the ballot paper.