Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

Polling stations

You and your election agent are entitled to observe proceedings inside polling stations.1 Additionally, you may appoint agents to attend polling stations on your behalf.2 For more details please see our guidance on appointing polling agents.

Finding the location of polling stations

The Returning Officer must give public notice of the location of polling stations by the sixth working day before the poll.3 They will give a copy of this notice to all appointed election agents soon after this.

Polling station opening hours

Polling stations will be open on polling day between 7am and 10pm. Any voters waiting in a queue at their polling station at 10pm will be allowed to vote, even if they haven’t yet been issued with a ballot paper. 
 

Last updated: 1 December 2023