How to vote - What's New Since Last Time

Can you vote?....not everyone can.....  

You have to be 18 or over and

Polling Cards

If your name is on the register of electors and you are aged 18 or over, you will, unless you are further included in the absent voters list, get a polling card about three to four weeks before polling day.  This will tell you where your polling station is and when it is open.  The card is for information only.  Don’t worry if you lose it or forget it - you can still vote without it.  It just makes it easier if you take it to the polling station and show it to the clerk.

If you don’t receive a polling card, this could mean that you are registered at an old address or are not included on the register.  You should call the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) on 01382 434444.

Voting in Person - view the instructions

Enter your address for details of your Polling Place.

	When you vote for your local councillor you will be asked to rank candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3 etc) rather than by making a single choice with a cross (X). Put a "1" beside the candidate you like best, then a "2" beside your second choice, "3" beside your third choice and so on. You can express preferences for as many or as few candidates as you like. The numbers you use must be in sequence. If you make a mistake, your vote will be valid up to when you made the error – for example, if you miss out a "4" and just rank 1, 2, 3 and 5, only your first three preferences will be valid. The candidates you vote for may be from the same party, from several different parties or be independents – but every single choice counts! If your first choice has already won enough votes to be elected, or is eliminated as a result of having the least number of votes, then your vote is transferred to your second choice and potentially on to your third choice and so on, until either three or four candidates have been elected, depending on the size of the ward.
	You have two votes to cast for the Scottish Parliament - a constituency vote, for either Dundee East or Dundee West depending on your address - and a Regional List vote. You will be given a single sheet which contains both your voting opportunities. Place a single X beside your preferred candidate for both the Regional member and the Constituency member. view the instructions

Voting by Post

If you want to, you can apply for a postal vote.  This is a simple procedure. Your Ballot Papers will then be sent to you by post, prior to the elections.  Complete the papers and return them as directed.  You will also be sent a postal voter poll card confirming that you have a postal vote nearer this time.

Please apply for a postal vote as soon as possible.  The last day for receipt of applications by the ERO for the May election is Wednesday 18th April.

Application forms can be obtained from Electoral Registration Office, 20 City Square or the Central Library, Wellgate.

You can download a form here

Voting by Proxy

If you are unable to vote in person you can also apply for a proxy vote.  This means that you can have someone you trust cast your vote for you, either in person at the polling station, or if they have applied to be your Postal Proxy, by post.  Because of concerns over the possibility of fraudulent applications, it is not as simple to apply for a proxy vote.

Contact Details

If you have any questions on whether you are registered to vote, postal votes or proxy votes, please contact the Electoral Registration Officer on 01382 434444.