Parliamentary election 19 – Fylde Council

Mencap – Easy read guide

Alastair Woodhouse — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 07:43:57 +0000

Disabled people’s voting rights

Alastair Woodhouse — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 08:47:07 +0000

We believe voting at elections should be accessible to everyone. Having a disability does not mean you aren’t eligible to vote.

All voters have a right to vote independently and in secret. A person who is registered to vote or who has been officially appointed as a proxy voter cannot be refused a ballot paper or the opportunity to vote on the grounds of mental or physical incapacity.

Polling station staff must ensure that disabled voters are not offered a lower standard of service than other voters and should be able to explain what assistance is available to disabled voters wishing to vote in person at a polling station.

If you cannot find what you need on this page, please contact the Elections office on 01253 658549 or email: electoral@fylde.gov.uk

Register to vote

You can register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. The process is quick and easy but you will need your National Insurance number to hand to complete your application.

Alternatively, you can download the registration form and print it. Large print and easy-read versions are also available.

Completed registration forms should be posted to the Electoral Services Team at:

Electoral Services
Fylde Council,
St Annes Road West,
Lytham St Annes,
FY8 1LW

Large-print version of the ballot paper

A large-print version of the ballot paper should be clearly displayed inside the polling station and a copy can be given to voters to take with them into the polling booth. A voter can’t vote on the large-print version, but it can be used for reference.

The accessible easy read webpages below will show you how you can register to vote in any elections local to you.

If you need help registering to vote, or wish to have us complete a registration application on your behalf, you can contact us via telephone on 01253 658549 or email electoral@fylde.gov.uk

Accessibility voting at a polling station

Each polling station should be accessible, or have a ramp or a separate entrance, so that everyone can access it. If you do experience any problems getting into your polling station, a member of staff can come to assist you and can bring your ballot paper to you, if necessary.

Once inside the polling station, there are clear instructions on how to vote, in both written and picture formats. Polling Station staff are trained to offer impartial guidance and maintain a stress-free environment throughout the day. There are also a number of additional ways in which an elector can receive support. Please speak to a member of staff if you require any of the following:

Tactile Voting Device (which attaches to a ballot paper to allow blind or partially sighted voters to mark their ballot paper with or without assistance)
Large Print Ballot Paper (as a reference for partially sighted voters)
Ballot Paper Magnifier (a handheld device which allows an elector to magnify any part of a regular-sized ballot paper)
Assistance from a companion (or the Polling Station’s Presiding Officer who can join an elector in the polling booth and help them mark the ballot paper*)
other voting aids such as pencil grips and or additional lighting

*We encourage electors to bring a trusted companion to the Polling Station to assist them in voting if they would like to do so. If you require assistance marking your ballot paper, your companion and/or the Presiding Officer will need to sign a form before you can cast your vote. This is to ensure a formal record is kept of any occasion where a voter has been accompanied into the polling booth.

The accessible easy read webpages below will show you how you can vote in person

Voting by post or by proxy

If you are not able to attend your polling station on the day of the election to vote in person, you can apply to vote by post or by proxy instead. Further information can be found on Postal and Proxy voting – Fylde Council

The accessible easy read webpages below will show you how you can vote by post or by proxy or visit our page

If you’re a carer or support worker and need more information about how you can offer support and assistance I am a carer or support worker – My Vote My Voice

Find my polling station

Alastair Woodhouse — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 11:35:10 +0000

Find your polling district and polling station on the interactive map below.

Register to vote

Alastair Woodhouse — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 09:40:56 +0000

You need to be on the electoral register in order to vote at elections and referendums. Being on the electoral register can also improve your credit score.

You will need the following

your National Insurance number
your passport if you’re a British citizen living abroad

The process should take around 5 minute to complete. Once your application is complete it will go through a verification process, Fylde’s electoral registration office will be in contact to whether you are to be added to the electoral register or if more information is required.

If you have any questions about the process or you cannot complete the process email electoral@fylde.gov.uk

By clicking on the button above you will be taken to the gov.uk website where you can register to vote.

Postal and Proxy voting

Alastair Woodhouse — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 14:43:05 +0000

Voting by Post

You don’t need to provide photo ID to vote by post.

To apply to vote by post, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

You must be registered to vote before you can apply.

If you would like us to post a paper copy of the application form to you, email your name and address to electoral@fylde.gov.uk or alternatively go to Apply to vote by post | Electoral Commission to download a form yourself. Applications must be returned to Electoral Services, Fylde Council, St Annes Road West, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1LW

For more information visit Ways to vote | Electoral Commission or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.

Cancel a postal vote

You can change your mind and cancel your postal vote at any time. To cancel your postal vote for a particular election we must receive your request in writing at least 11 working days before an election. The easiest way to do this is by emailing electoral@fylde.gov.uk giving your full name and address, and the date from which you wish to cancel your postal vote.

Voting by proxy

(Allowing someone you trust to vote on your behalf)

To apply to vote by proxy, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote

If you’re registered to vote and you can’t get to the polling station yourself, you can nominate someone you trust to vote on your behalf.

The person you choose to vote on your behalf will need to go to your polling station to vote and will need to show their own photo ID to be able to cast your vote. They will not need to show your ID when voting on your behalf.

Anyone can be your proxy provided that they are:

registered to vote
eligible to vote in that type of election
willing to vote on your behalf

You must provide a reason why you cannot get to your polling station in person and your proxy vote will only be in place for a specific election (unless you have a reason for a long-term proxy vote).