How to Vote
Step 1
If you are voting in person, go to your allocated voting station between 7am and 10pm on election day. Your polling card may help administration.
Step 2
When you arrive, staff will take your details and cross off your name on their checklist.
Step 3
You will be given a ballot paper, which will list all the candidates and their parties. It will feature an official mark and is numbered to combat fraud. If there is more than one election being held, you will be given a different ballot paper for each election.
Step 4
Take the ballot paper(s) to one of the booths, which are screened to ensure secrecy.
Step 5
The way to vote is slightly different for each election:
How to vote - local Councillors
Simply put a cross in a box next to up to three candidates.
Because each ward in Hackney has three councillors, the candidate with the most votes is elected first, then the candidate with the second-highest number of votes, then the third-placed candidate. If there is a tie, then a candidate is selected by the drawing of lots (i.e. a method of selection by chance such as tossing a coin or picking a name out of a hat). This is conducted by the returning officer.
How to vote - Mayor of Hackney
There are two columns on the ballot paper - one for the first choice and one for the second choice. Voters are not required to make a second choice if they do not wish to. Voters mark an 'X' in the first column for their first choice and a second 'X' in the second column for their other choice.
Voters' first preferences are counted and if one candidate gets 50% of the vote, then he or she is elected. If no candidate reaches 50% of the vote, the two highest scoring candidates are retained and the rest of the candidates are eliminated.
The second preferences on the ballot papers of the eliminated candidates are examined and any that have been cast for the two remaining candidates are given to them. Whoever has the most votes at the end of the process is elected.
How to vote - Member of Parliament (MP)
Simply put a cross in a box next to one candidate. Your constituency has one MP. The candidate with the most votes wins.
Step 6
Fold the ballot paper so others cannot see your choice and post it in appropriate ballot box. There will be one ballot box clearly labelled for each election.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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