First Time Voters

Information

Use your vote  Its time to make your views heard!

Happy 18th birthday  you are now entitled to vote and should be on the Electoral Register.

Act now to ensure that you are on the Electoral Register.

Voting is your constitutional right. Many countries in the world do not have the freedom that we have in this country. This country is a democracy and your vote does make a difference.

Your right to vote is an important one  dont throw it away without thinking what it represents.

The people who make decisions about our lives, set taxes and make laws are able to do so because they are elected into power. The Authority of Local Councillors, Members of Parliament and Members of European Parliament comes from the ballot box and your vote. You should have a say in who represents you and ensure that your views are put forward.

What Happens At Election Time

If you have applied to be included on the Electoral Register, an official poll card will be delivered to your home. The poll card will tell you when and where you should vote on Election Day. You should take this card with you to your local polling station and show it to the polling clerk. Dont worry if you lose or forget it, you will still be able to vote.

When the clerk has checked your name against the Electoral Register you will be given a ballot paper which you will use to vote. This ballot paper sets out all the names of the candidates standing for election. You are usually able to vote for one candidate only, but this will be stated on the ballot paper.

You should then take the ballot paper into one of the polling booths and place a cross in the box next to the name of the candidate you would like to see elected. Do not make any other markings on the ballot paper or your vote may not be counted. If you make a mistake take your ballot paper back to the clerk. When you have finished fold the paper and place it in the sealed ballot box.

If for any reason you are unable to visit the polling station on Election Day you may apply for a postal vote. Please see the section on postal votes or contact the Electoral Services Office for further information.

Your vote is entirely secret  only you need know how you voted. At the close of the polling all ballot boxes are taken to a public count  where the candidate with the highest number of votes is duly elected.

What Can Local Councillors Do For Me?

There are 63 local councillors in Barnsley  which constitutes 63 councillors for each of the 21 wards in Barnsley. The councillors are elected to take up issues on behalf of local people regardless of whether or not you voted for them. Local councillors can be contacted by post; by email; by telephone; or by attending one of their surgeries.