By Emma Hartley, Head of Campaigns

According to our research, 80% of the public said it was easy to find information on how to cast their vote ahead of the 2017 local elections – let’s keep this up again this year!

We need your help in sharing essential voting information to support people ahead of the local elections on Thursday.

Share these facts to spread the word.

1. Where your polling station is

To cast your vote on polling day, you must go to your designated polling station. Find your polling station using the handy postcode finder on our website. You can also find this information on your poll card.

Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm on polling. You must go to your own polling station to cast your vote.

If you’ve been nominated as someone’s proxy, you’ll need to make sure you go to their polling station to vote on their behalf.

2. ‘X’ marks the spot

To cast your vote, put an ‘X’ next to the candidate(s) you wish to vote for on your ballot paper.

Depending on where you live, you may be voting for more than one candidate. The instructions at the top of the ballot paper and in the polling booth will tell you how many candidates you can vote for.

If you aren’t sure who is standing for election in your area, you can find the candidates by entering your postcode on our website.

3. You can ask for help at the polling station

Assistance is available for anyone who requires it at the polling station.

If you are a first-time voter, the polling station staff will be happy to help answer any questions you have.

If you are disabled, you can ask the Presiding Officer to help mark your ballot paper for you. You can also ask someone else you know to help you.

If you have a visual impairment, you can ask to see a large print ballot paper. You can also ask for a special voting device that allows you to vote on your own in secret.

4. Don’t run out of time

Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm this Thursday. But don’t leave it too late, 25% of people didn’t vote at the 2017 local elections because they ran out of time.

If you are in a queue at your polling station at 10pm you will be allowed to vote.

Parents are allowed to bring children with them when they go to vote at the polling station.

If you’ve applied for a postal vote but haven’t sent back your ballot paper, you can hand it in at a polling station in your area by 10pm on polling day.

You can read more about voting in the 2018 local elections on our website.

Read this blog and now want to help your friends and family cast their vote? Share our essential voter information on Facebook and Twitter to spread the word.