Rother District Council

On this page you will find details of the Election Procedure including What is Voting and How to Vote.

What is an election?

An election is a process used to choose a Member of Parliament or local authority representative (Councillor), decided by a system of voting.

What is voting?

Voting is how people express a preference.  In the United Kingdom this is by putting a mark beside the preferred candidate for election on a ballot paper.  To be eligible to vote you need to be on the Register of Electors in force for that election.

How do I get on the Register of Electors?

Each year in late summer and early Autumn registration forms are sent to all households in the Rother District area.  The householder is required to check the details and confirm they are correct or add, delete or otherwise amend voter details on the form as appropriate.  This period is known as the canvass of voters and takes place between the middle of August to the beginning of December and results in a new register being published on 1st December each year.  At other times of the year you can register individually by completing a voter registration form.  Provided the form is received early in the month you should be entered on the register at the beginning of the next month.  The latter process is known as rolling registration.

I pay council tax does this mean I am automatically on the register?

Unfortunately not, you have to register in one of the ways prescribed by law either during the canvass or rolling registration. 

Up to what time can I register to vote?

You must return the appropriate voter registration form by 5pm 11 working days before the day of the poll.

How can I vote if I will be away from home on election day?

If you intend to be away as a result of unavoidable commitments for example, holiday, work or study or you are going into hospital, you are entitled to an absent vote which can be either a postal  or a proxy vote.  Application forms may be downloaded and should be returned to the Voter Services Office.  Remember you must advise the Voter Services Office as soon as possible if you need an absent vote.  The law states that all requests for new postal votes must be received 11 working days before the election; those received after the deadline are not eligible for the election in question.  New proxy voting applications can be received up to 5 working days before the election. In certain circumstances voters may be eligible for an emergency proxy vote on medical grounds up to 5pm on the day of the election if it is supported by the necessary attestation.  

What is an absent vote?

If you are unable to vote in person then you can choose either of the following options to receive an absent vote.

1. Postal Vote - Any body is eligible for a postal vote, no reason need be given, however a reason is required if you need a permanent postal vote and require  your postal ballot paper to be sent to an address other than your registered address.  Your ballot paper will be sent to you approximately 1 week before election day for you to mark it in the normal way and return it to the Election "Returning" Officer before the close of poll on election day.
2. Proxy Vote - For a permanent proxy vote you need to give a reason and choose a person who will be willing to act as proxy and therefore go to the polling station and vote for you in the normal way (this person is usually a family member but does not have to be).

If you decide on appointing a proxy, you can vote yourself at the polling station providing you present yourself before your proxy has voted.

Please note that for both postal and proxy votes you need to supply a specimen signature and your date of birth.  These will be compared to the date of birth and signature on the security statement that you are required to return with your ballot paper. 

How will I know an election is to take place?

The Election Returning Officer publishes Notices giving details of all elections in the area of the election.  Candidates for election often circulate personal publicity literature and at all but Parish and Town Council elections, Poll Cards are distributed by the Election Returning Officer.

A poll card is sent to every eligible voter whose name appears in the Voters Register.  The poll card details the date, location of the polling station, and hours of the poll which are between 7am and 10pm for all elections in the UK.  On the reverse of the poll card are instructions on what to do once inside the polling station.  It is not a requirement of law to present your poll card in order to vote; it is merely to advise you of an election.

What happens when I go inside the Polling Station?

It is helpful to have your poll card with you to hand to the Clerk but not necessary as once inside the polling station the polling staff will want to know your name and address to ensure you are included on the Voters Register and are able to vote.  The Clerk will then hand you a ballot paper with the official mark on it; take the ballot paper into one of the compartments provided and mark the paper with a cross (x) in the box/boxes on the right hand side of the ballot paper, opposite the name of the candidate(s) you are voting for.  Fold the paper in two and place it in the ballot box which should be beside the Presiding Officer, showing the official mark to the Officer.  At some elections you will be able to vote for more than one candidate where your local area is represented by more than one Councillor.

What happens if I make a mistake on my ballot paper?

If you should spoil a ballot paper show the Presiding Officer and ask for another one - do not put the ballot paper in the ballot box.  The Presiding Officer will issue you with a new paper and put your spoilt paper in a sealed envelope which may be scrutinised later during the counting of ballot papers.

What happens after the poll has finished?

Immediately upon the prescribed close of poll, the ballot box is sealed by the staff to ensure that nothing can be added or taken from the box.  The box is then taken to the count location where the contents are counted with the ballot papers received at the other polling stations.  The candidate(s) who receives most votes is declared the victor and has been elected to the position contested.

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