How to vote

If you are registered to vote, then about four weeks before the election you will receive a poll card at your address telling you where you should go to vote and the hours your polling station will be open. Polling stations in Fife are usually open from 7am to 10pm on election day.

On election day, go to your polling station. This is usually a school, local hall or public building near where you live. When you arrive at the polling station, staff will be on hand to direct you to where voting is taking place.

When you have located your polling station, tell the staff there your name and address. You do not have to bring your poll card with you to vote but it might save time if you do. If you show your poll card to the staff, you must remember to take it away with you.

At UK Parliament elections, you are now required to show valid ID before being given a ballot paper. For more information go to our Voter ID page.

You will then be given a ballot paper or ballot papers if there is more than one election on that day and directed to a polling booth to cast your vote in private.

In the polling booth you will find instructions to assist you in marking your ballot paper correctly. These instructions can also be found at the top of the ballot paper.

Mark your ballot paper as directed, fold it half and put it in the ballot box after you have shown the back of your ballot paper to the polling staff.

Staff are available in the polling station to assist electors, so please ask questions if there is anything you are unsure of.

If you are not able to attend a polling station on the day of an election, you can apply in advance to vote by post or by proxy.

Voting by post

You do not need a reason to vote by post.

To find out about voting by post, and to apply for a postal vote, go to our Apply to Vote by post or by proxy page.

If you need help completing your postal ballot paper, you can ask someone you know to assist you or you can get independent help by contacting the election helpline. Alternatively, you can download a pictorial guide to completing your postal voting pack:

Voter ID Resource

Voting by proxy

Voting by proxy means that you appoint someone else to vote on your behalf. This can be useful if you can't get to a polling station on polling day for example if you are abroad or have to be away for work reasons.

Remember you and your appointed proxy must be registered individually to apply.

To find out about voting by proxy, and to apply for a proxy vote, go to our Apply to Vote by post or by proxy page

Help for voters with a disability 

If you have any specific questions about voting contact the Electoral Services team for assistance.

In the polling station 

Members of staff will be on hand to provide you with any assistance you might require. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the voting process. We are producing a voting guide which you can take to the polling station with you.

We will include a link to this guide soon.

Partially sighted and blind voters

In the polling station there are large-print versions of the ballot paper. A hand-held copy which can be taken into the polling booth is available from the presiding officer on request. A magnifying card is also available.

The slot on the top of the ballot box is highlighted with white markings to make it easier to insert ballot papers.

Voters who are blind can vote in secret. A special voting device which fits onto the front of the ballot paper is available from the polling station staff who will be happy to explain how to use it.

If you have a disability and require assistance to cast your vote you can take a companion with you to the polling station or you can ask the presiding officer at the polling station for help.

If you are assisted by a companion at Scottish Parliament or Local Government elections, they must be a registered elector or be your spouse, civil partner, parent, brother, sister or child and be generally aged16 years of age and over. Your companion will be asked to complete and sign a declaration form which will be issued by the presiding officer. Your companion may only assist one more elector at an election if they have already assisted you.

At UK Parliament elections, anyone over the age of 18 can now act as a companion to assist disabled voters. Your companion will be asked to complete and sign a declaration form which will be issued by the presiding officer. There is no limit to the number of electors your companion may assist.

Wheelchair users

The majority of our polling stations now have permanent disabled access. If you have to use a station with steps, a special temporary ramp will be supplied.

All polling stations have low-level polling booths.

The ballot box will be on a chair, instead of a table, to make it easier to insert ballot papers.

If you have a disability and need help to cast your vote you can take a companion with you to the polling station or you can ask the presiding officer at the polling station for help.

If you are assisted by a companion at Scottish Parliament or Local Government elections, they must be a registered elector or be your spouse, civil partner, parent, brother, sister or child and be generally aged16 years of age and over. Your companion will be asked to complete and sign a declaration form which will be issued by the presiding officer. Your companion may only assist one more elector at an election if they have already assisted you.

At UK Parliament elections, anyone over the age of 18 can now act as a companion to assist disabled voters. Your companion will be asked to complete and sign a declaration form which will be issued by the presiding officer. There is no limit to the number of electors your companion may assist.

Contact Details

Electoral Services Team

E: election.enquiries@fife.gov.uk

T: 03451 55 55 11