MSE News: You don't need a polling card to vote

Former_MSE_Natasha

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"If you want to vote today but don't have a polling card, fear not, you can vote without it..."

Read the full story:

You don't need a polling card to vote

anguk

I voted in the last election without a polling card. I went along to the polling station and realised I'd forgot the card, I was actually surprised that I just had to give my name and address (I had no ID on me).

Mankysteve

I'm register to vote at my parent address, can i vote at uni address in Wales? I also don't have my card, but they do?

lilian1977

Steve - I may be wrong but I don't think I am - you can only vote in the constituency you're registered in.

Mankysteve

Ok thanks, They only sent the card to parents the week before the dead line 20th(was it) and I was away on feild trip with uni. so that gave me a hole two days to sort it out, My fault really should have sorted it early.

Bufger

Mankysteve wrote: »

Ok thanks, They only sent the card to parents the week before the dead line 20th(was it) and I was away on feild trip with uni. so that gave me a hole two days to sort it out, My fault really should have sorted it early.

My friend is in the same position as you. I would feel really bad for him but he's going to vote for a party i hate so its not so bad. haha

Its an unfortunate situation. I would have a check on the government website to check before you completely write the whole thing off.

MERFE

This is good to know for the future, we have recently moved so I thought we wouldn't be able to vote as we havent changed our address at the electoral role yet, but then our old landlady brought our cards round that were delivered to the old address. Bless her. I wouldnt have been able to do it without it actually as I haven't a clue where the polling station is, its in the rough bit I don't go near normally.

bufger I'm also pleased my OH is away and won't be able to vote for someone stupid, he has some crazy ideas sometimes.

dzug1

The polling station staff are not permitted to ask for ID or to take the slightest notice of it if you show it to them.

The sole requirement is that you positively identify yourself by verbal declaration as the person recorded on the register.

Having worked on a polling station it's easier in some ways if the voter doesn't have his card.

Typical scenario:

poll clerk 'Are you.....' (reads name and address off polling card)
voter 'grunt'

Not exactly positive is it?

dzug1

lilian1977 wrote: »

Steve - I may be wrong but I don't think I am - you can only vote in the constituency you're registered in.

Correct.

Either in person
or by post - too late
or by proxy - too late unless it's a medical emergency, and probably impractical even if it is

glider3560

Mankysteve wrote: »

I'm register to vote at my parent address, can i vote at uni address in Wales? I also don't have my card, but they do?

Too late now, but you are actually eligible to be registered at both your home and uni address. This allows you to vote in either location in the case of a general election.
http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/faq/registering_to_vote.aspx

WestonDave

What's even more bizarre is that you don't need a card to carry out a proxy vote - I had to vote three times this morning - once was mine and the other 2 were friends who found out after the postal vote deadline that they would be abroad on business. However the proxy cards for them hadn't turned up, so I asked electoral services who confirmed that just like my vote I simply needed to state I was me, and provided that tied up with their lists (the electoral roll and in the case of the proxy votes the proxy list) all was OK. I did make the effort to go down early this morning so it would be quiet and the staff wouldn't be trying to deal with my 3 votes at the same time as others were queuing.