Local Elections: Do's and don'ts at Polling Stations

Voters are set to choose the people they want to represent them on Hertfordshire's district and borough councils.

More than 8,000 seats are being contested across 230 authorities in England, with polls in more than 170 district wards in our county alone.

Polls open between 7am and 10pm, and registered voters should check their poll card – which should have arrived by post – to find out which ward they are in, the location of their assigned polling station, and information about the different votes taking place in their area.

In the UK, everyone has the right to a secret ballot which is recorded fairly, but the law which protects this right goes back to 1983 – before #DogsAtPollingStations began trending on Twitter.

Here are some of the "need to knows" for today's vote.

Can I take a selfie at the polling booth?

Taking photos isn't banned at the polling stations.

Every year, hundreds of people share pictures of their pooches outside voting venues.

But if your polling station selfie reveals how a person has voted, even by mistake, you could face an unlimited fine or maximum six months in prison.

This is because the Representation of the People Act 1983 has a "requirement of secrecy".

The Electoral Commission "advises against taking selfies or other photos in the polling station" because voters risk inadvertently breaking the law.

Voters can post their own postal ballot on social media, because postal ballots are treated differently to polling station ballots.

Where can I vote?

In Broxbourne, Dacorum, East Herts, Hertsmere, Stevenage, Three Rivers, Watford and Welwyn Hatfield voters in every ward get at least one vote.

In North Herts and St Albans, there are elections in most wards, but some areas will need to wait until next year at the earliest before polls in their area open again.

Each voter's assigned polling station is shown on their poll card.

Venues typically include churches, community halls and schools.

But a tube station, Watford FC's stadium, a Toby Carvery and one or two pubs are on the lists.

Who am I voting for?

In 2023, voting takes place throughout Hertfordshire for borough and district councils, which look after issues such as bin collections, leisure centres, planning and housing, and fly-tipping.

Roads and potholes, transport, schools, and social care are all under the county council's control – with the next election due in 2025.

The name and party of each candidate – and the number of candidates which residents are allowed to select – will appear on your ballot paper.

Some voters may receive two or more ballot papers, particularly if a town or parish council vote is also taking place on the same day.

Can I bring a pen to the polling station?

Pen, pencil, crayon… It doesn't matter, so long as you are able to permanently mark a cross – "X" – in the box next to your chosen candidate or candidates.

Be sure to cast your vote with something which won't smudge, because leaving a mark next to too many candidates or not making your vote clear could lead to a rejected ballot.

Each polling station must be equipped with "materials to enable voters to mark the ballot papers".

The Electoral Commission has previously explained why it prefers pencils to pens.

"With ink pens there is always a risk that they may dry out or spill," a spokesperson said.

"Also, ink may cause some transfer of the mark the voter has made on the ballot paper when they fold it, thus potentially leading to a rejection as it may look like they have voted for more options than they are entitled to."

Can I bring a friend along?

Furry friends are popular on Twitter and Instagram, but some polling stations will not let them in – except for assistance dogs.

Human friends who are not voting might also need to wait outside, because there are strict rules around who can go into polling stations.

But children under the age of 18 can accompany voters.

Staff can choose to limit the number of children, if they could "impede the proceedings in any way".

Which ID do I need to vote?

Voter ID is required at this year's election.

A poll card is not considered accepted ID, and voters do not need to bring it with them.

One of the following is required:

• Passports, including EEA and Commonwealth passports
• Driving licences – issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or a European Economic Area state
• Blue badges
• Any ID bearing the PASS hologram (such as the CitizenCard or Milton Keynes All in 1)
• Biometric Immigration Document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence ID)
• National ID card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral ID card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector's Document
• UK Government Older Person's Bus Pass
• UK Government Disabled Person's Bus Pass
• 60+ Oyster Card
• Freedom Pass
• Scottish National Entitlement Card
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person's Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Registered Blind SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Although the 60+ Oyster photocard is accepted as voter ID, the 18+ Oyster is not.

Railcards and student cards – unless they bear the PASS hologram – are also not accepted.

Some people without a photographic ID, for example, people whose Voter Authority Certificates are lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed, or have not arrived, can apply for an "emergency proxy" before 5pm on polling day.

What time does voting end?

Voting begins at 7am and ends at 10pm.

After this, ballot boxes are taken to "The Count" where votes will be verified and counted under the watch of candidates, election agents and officers.