Easy read guide to voting
Understanding your poll card
What is a poll card
You'll be sent your poll card just before an election or referendum.
It is the size of a postcard.
An election is when people vote to choose people to run parliament or councils.
It's a way for everyone to have a say in what happens in their town or country.
A referendum is a special kind of vote where people are asked a big question, to help decide something important.
Everyone gets to have their say by voting.
Your poll card will tell you information like when to vote and at which polling station.
polling station is a place where people go to vote.
If you need any help or want to find out if your polling station is accessible, please contact us.
Email: elections@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 123 4000 then choose option 7.
If you need your poll card in large print please contact us.
Email: elections@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 123 4000 then choose option 7.
This booklet will show you an example of a poll card and tell you what each part means.
This part will say what you are voting for in the election or referendum.
This part will say what day the election is taking place.
This part will say what voting information you need to know like:
- The day you will go to the polling station to vote.
- What time you can vote at a polling station, which is between 7:00am to 10:00pm.
- Where you need to go to vote at a polling station.
This part will say your name and address.
This part will say the details of your local council.
The website address for Babergh is:
www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/elections
The email address for Babergh is:
elections@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
The phone number for the helpline is:
0300 123 4000 then choose option 7.
You can contact them if you need help voting.
The back side of your poll card has the following information on it:
This part will list different types of photographic identification.
Photographic identification is a document or card that proves who you are.
You must bring one type of photographic identification to be able to vote.
For example, a passport, blue badge or bus pass.
This part will tell you the date you need to apply by to get a Voter Authority Certificate for this election.
A Voter Authority Certificate proves who you are.
You can get it if you do not have any other photographic identification.
You can look at this easy read for more information at:
www.myvotemyvoice.org.uk/voting/register-to-vote/voter-id-and-how-to-apply-for-the-voter-id-certificate/
This part tells you what to do if you are away or cannot go to the polling station on the day of the election.
You can vote by post. If you choose this:
- You will get your paper ballot sent to your home.
- You will fill it in at home.
- You will send it back in the post.
Apply for a postal vote online at:
www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote
Or, you can do a proxy vote.
A proxy vote is when you give permission to a trusted person to vote for you at a polling station.
Apply for a proxy vote online at:
www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote
If you need to do a postal vote or proxy vote, apply before the time and date on this part of the poll card.
This part tells you what to do if, on the day of the election, you are unable to vote at a polling station because:
- You have a medical emergency on the day of the election.
- You cannot go to the polling station because of work reasons.
- You cannot use the photographic identification you were going to bring.
Call the helpline straight away to find out what you need to do.
Phone: 0300 123 4000 then choose option 7.
You need to call before the time and date on this part of the poll card.
This part tells you the return address.
You may need to return a poll card if the person who it is addressed to does not live there.
You can contact us in a number of different ways.
Website: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/elections
Email: elections@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
Helpline: 0300 123 4000 then choose option 7
This document was adapted into easy read by Ace Anglia
