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Frequently asked questions about elections and voting are listed below.

Registration

Am I registered to vote?

You can find out by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer. Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221. 

Applications to register must be made by Tuesday 29 October 2024.

Applications received after Tuesday 29 October 2024 will not be processed in time for the Council election.

How do I register to vote?

You can apply to register online on the UK Government website or phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221. Alternatively, you can apply by filling in a form and returning it to the Electoral Registration Office.

The deadline for registration of applications for the by-elections is Tuesday 29 October 2024. Applications to register should be made as soon as possible.

Applications received after Tuesday 29 October 2024 will not be processed in time for this election.

I've just moved house but got the poll card for the former resident. How do I register that this is now my home?

You can apply to register online on the UK Government website or phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221. Alternatively, you can apply by filling in a form and returning it to the Electoral Registration Office.

The deadline for registration of applications for the by-elections is Tuesday 29 October 2024.

If it's after Tuesday 29 October 2024 you can still vote at your old address if you are still registered at that address. However, for future elections you should re-register at your new address.

If you want to check that you are still registered at your old address you should contact the Electoral Registration Office in the area of your old address.

Postal voting

What is the deadline for applying for a postal vote for the forthcoming election? 

Your application to vote by post for the by-elections must be received by the Electoral Registration Officer, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL by 5pm on Wednesday 30 October 2024.

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221. 

When should I expect to receive my postal vote?

There will be two major issues of postal votes:

  • First issue around 4 November 2024
  • Second issue around [date still to be determined]

It depends on when you submit your application what delivery date you will be in.

If you will be away from home you should double-check this date. Phone the Council Election Office on 01563 576555.

How do I get a postal vote?

You can get an application form from the Electoral Registration Office at Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board

You need to return the form to the Electoral Registration Officer as soon as possible, It must be received by 5pm on 30 October 2024.

The postal address is 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL.

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221.

I want to cancel my existing postal vote

You can change your postal vote up until 5pm on Wednesday 30 October 2024. You need to make the request to cancel, in writing, to the Electoral Registration Officer, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL.

However, if you have already received your postal vote and posted it back, you will not be allowed to cancel or make changes.

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221 or email  ero@ayrshire-vjb.gov.uk or write to Electoral Registration Officer, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA17 1HL.

What happens after the deadline?

You have missed the deadline to apply for a postal vote for the forthcoming election. There may be time to apply for a proxy vote up until 5pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024.

Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election, ie made after the deadline on Wednesday 6 November 2024, on the grounds of:

  • disability suffered after that deadline (or, for applicants who suffered a disability before the deadline, their disability meant that they could not reasonably have made an application in time)
  • work/service reasons
  • a medical emergency that took place after the deadline or took place before the deadline but you couldn't reasonably make an application before this date
  • or for Scottish prisoners serving a sentence of 12 months or less

must reach the relevant Electoral Registration Officer, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL by 5pm on Thursday 14 November 2024.

To apply on the grounds of work/service, the person must have become aware that they cannot go to the polling station in person after 5pm on Wednesday 30 October 2024.

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221.

I've spoiled my postal vote

The Election Office can issue you with a replacement before 10pm on Thursday 14 November 2024. Phone the Election Office on 01563 576555.

How and where to vote

What is the date of the election?

 The date of the election is Thursday 14 November 2024.

How do I find out where my polling place is?

Your poll card should tell you the location of your polling place.

There may have been a review of the polling places in your area since the last election and your polling place may have changed as a result.

Phone the Council Election Office on 01563 576555.

What time are polling hours?

Polling hours are between 7am and 10pm.

How do I fill in the ballot paper at the polling station?

Information will be provided by staff at the polling station, or if you opted to vote by post, instructions will be in your ballot pack. Information posters will be displayed in the polling place and also in the polling booth.

Phone the Council Election Office on 01563 576555.

I want to appoint a proxy to vote on my behalf

You can download an application form on the Electoral Commission website. Deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024.

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221 for further guidance and assistance.

Poll cards

I/my family member/my whole block/street hasn't had their poll card

This may not necessarily mean that you cannot vote. Check that you are registered by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer right away. 

If you are registered, you do not need your poll card to vote.

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221.

My poll card tells me to vote at a polling station I've never voted at before

There may have been a change to your polling place for this election. Did you get a letter to explain this?

Phone the Council Election Office on 01563 576555.

I've received a poll card but I've got a postal vote

Poll cards are also sent to postal voters.

Does your poll card say 'postal poll card' on the front?

  • If yes - you will receive a postal vote for this election.
  • If no - phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221.

I/a family member is under 18 and got a poll card

 16 and 17 year-olds are allowed to vote at Council and Scottish Parliamentary elections.

I've destroyed/lost my poll card. Can I get a new one?

We don't issue replacement poll cards. However, you do not need your poll card to vote at the election. As long as you are on the register you will be able to vote.

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221 if you want to double check if you are on the register.

I've received a poll card for my spouse/family member who is now deceased

We apologise for any upset that has been caused. The registration of the death in Ayrshire is normally notified automatically.

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221 or email ero@ayrshire.vjb.gov.uk with the deceased person's details to ensure they are off the register.

The details on my poll card are wrong

Phone the Electoral Registration Officer on 01292 612221.

Access issues

What options are there for voting?

There are different options for casting your vote:

  • at a polling station
  • by post
  • by appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf

What provision is made for disabled people?

All polling stations are fully accessible.

Low level polling booths are available for wheelchair users. Chair/seating provided for voters who cannot stand for long periods.

The staff are trained and have access to equipment to assist disabled electors to vote in secret or with the assistance of polling station staff. Disabled electors may also bring a companion to assist them to vote at a polling station.

Where possible polling places are identified which have car parking provision so that disabled voters may park as close as possible to the station.

Phone the Council Election Office on 01563 576555 for details of access to any particular polling place and the assistance that will be available.

What provisions are made for blind or visually impaired voters?

Tactile voting templates and large print versions of ballot papers are available at all polling places as well as magnifiers to increase the size of the text on a document. As well as the large print version poster, an enlarged hand-held copy of the ballot paper can be given to voters who are partially sighted to take into the polling booth for reference when marking their ballot paper.

You can take a companion with you (close relative or elector qualified to vote) to assist you, or ask staff at the polling place for help.

In addition to the above, the Returning Officer also allows voters with disabilities to use any text-to-speech apps, torch or magnifier that they have on their phone, to assist them in reading their ballot paper.

Phone the Council Election Office on 01563 576555.

What provision is there for non-English speakers?

Ballot papers cannot be printed in languages other than English.

However, there will be guidance notices available in other languages in the polling place.

Phone the Council Election Office on 01563 576555 for further information.

What provision is there for wheelchair users?

Each polling place is different but all have wheelchair access and a low level polling booth. You can obtain more details by contacting the Election Office.

Phone the Council Election Office on 01563 576555 for further information.

Contact Information

 

Election Services
Tel: 01563 576555

 

Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board
9 Wellington Square
Ayr
South Ayrshire
KA7 1HL
Telephone: 01292 612221