Voting in elections

How do I vote?

First of all, you need to be registered to vote.  You can find out more about this on our register to vote page.

Different ways to vote

Once you are on the Electoral Register, you are able to vote in elections and referendums.  You can do this:

• At a polling station in person
• By post
• By proxy
• By postal proxy

Your polling card

If you are on the register of electors you will be automatically sent a poll card. This is approximately one month prior to the election.

Frequently asked questions

I have recently got married and I have changed my name, but my poll card shows my maiden name.  Can I still vote?

You can still vote using your maiden name on the poll card for this election.  You will then need to update your name change during the annual canvass, or by completing a register to vote form (pdf, 18 KB) (opens new window).

I haven't received a poll card but everyone else in my house has, can I still vote?

As long as you are registered, you can vote without your poll card.  Please check that you are on the register of electors by calling 0117 922 3400.

My name is spelt wrong on my polling card

If it is an administrative error on the part of Electoral Services, we can correct it up until 9pm on polling day.  Please call us on 0117 922 3400.

Voting Systems

Simple Majority

Parliamentary and local elections use a first past the post system whereby the candidate who receives the most votes is the outright winner.

Supplementary Voting

Mayoral and Police Crime Commissioner elections use a supplementary voting system.

There are two stages to the supplementary vote process.

Stage 1 

The first preference votes are counted.

If a candidate receives more than 50% of these first preference votes then he or she is elected and a result is declared.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the first preference votes then the two candidates with the highest number of votes go forward to stage 2.

Stage 2 

The second preference votes are then checked for the eliminated candidate(s). Any second preference votes for the remaining two candidates are added to the votes they received in stage 1.

The candidate with the highest number of votes received after adding together the results from stages 1 and 2 is elected and a result is declared.

See Supplementary Vote (SV) on the Electoral Reform Society's website for more information.