The normal voting process at a polling station is straightforward and can be summarised as follows:
Polling station staff will:
ask voters for their name and address, and make sure they are eligible to vote by checking against the register of electors
mark a straight line against the voter’s entry on the register of electors
call out the number and name of the elector
write the elector number on the Corresponding Numbers List next to the numbers of the ballot papers to be issued
ensure the ballot papers include the official mark (e.g. a barcode or watermark)
fold the ballot papers and then hand them to the voter unfolded so that they can see all of the options on the ballot papers
The voter will then:
take the ballot papers to the polling both and mark the ballot papers in private, unless assisted by a companion or the Presiding Officer
fold the marked ballot papers and show the ballot paper number and unique identifying number on the back of the ballot papers to the Presiding Officer, place the ballot papers in the ballot box(es) and leave the polling station
Accessibility in polling stations
The Constituency Returning Officer has a responsibility to ensure that voting is accessible. They must provide each polling station with a range of equipment as is reasonable for the purposes of enabling or making it easier for disabled voters to vote independently and in secret.
The Presiding Officer can assist anyone who is unable to mark the ballot papers themselves.1
Alternatively, a voter may bring along someone they know and trust to assist them in marking their vote.2
The person assisting the voter must either be a close relative over the age of 16, or be a person entitled to vote at the election. A person can only assist a maximum of two voters at the election.
Any person attending the polling station to assist an elector must complete a declaration to the Presiding Officer before they aid the elector in the polling booth.