Information for electors

Elections to become a councillor use the first past the post voting system. Voters cast their vote for a candidate of their choice – or candidates where more than one seat is up for election on the same ballot paper - and the candidate/s with the most votes is/are declared elected.

If you want to vote in this Election, you must be on the electoral register. If you are not already registered, you can register online. The last day to register to vote for this Election is midnight on 14 April 2022.

Different polls have different voter franchises. For the most up to date list on who can vote in different elections, visit the Electoral Commission website.

For local elections in England, you must be:

• Registered to vote
• 18 or over on 5 May 2022.
• A UK, Irish, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen *.

* A qualifying Commonwealth citizen is someone who has leave to enter or remain in the UK or does not require such leave. The list of qualifying countries, British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

The following groups are legally excluded from voting in local elections in England:

• a convicted person (though remand prisoners, as yet unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register).
• have been found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election.

• Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.
• You can only cast your vote at the polling station you are registered at. The details will be printed on your poll card.
• You don’t need your poll card with you to be able to vote, but it does speed the process up.
• Make sure to check your poll card for any changes to your usual polling station location.

If you are in a queue to vote at a polling station by 10pm, you will still be able to vote past that time. The polling station team will close the queue at 10pm, but still allow everyone who arrived while the queue was open to cast their vote.

Polls will close at 10pm and results announced during the course of the following night.

107 polling stations will be open across North Tyneside Council. 

The following polling stations have moved from their usual location.

Voters should check their poll card for the location details of their polling station.

Busy times in polling stations often include 7am to 9.30am, lunchtime, 3.30pm to 4.30pm and 6pm to 8pm. Trying to avoid these peak times may mean voters have to wait for a shorter period of time. Anyone queuing to vote at a polling station by 10pm will still be able to vote.

Voting at a polling station

Poll cards will be delivered from 25 March 2022. Your poll card will show the date of the election and the polling hours, the address of your polling station and when you will receive your postal vote, if you have applied for one. You do not need your poll card to vote.

When voting at a polling station, we ask that you follow the instructions on display and those given by staff.

To find your polling station, please use Democracy Club's Polling Station Finder, which will become live closer to the Polling Day.

Postal Voters

• Deadline to apply for a postal vote – 5pm on Tuesday 19 April.
• If you are already registered to vote by post, you will receive your postal voting pack from 21 April.
• Postal vote applicants must already be registered to vote.
• Only postal votes which arrive back by 10pm on polling day will be counted.
• Forgot to send your postal vote back in time? Completed and sealed postal vote packs can be dropped into any polling station in the same voting area on polling day.
• Lost your postal vote or it didn’t arrive? You can apply for a replacement pack from Thursday 28 April until 5pm on polling day. From 5pm on 4 May, replacement postal ballot packs will only be issued in person at North Tyneside Council, Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, NE27 0BY. You will need to bring proof of identification: one photographic ID like a passport or driving licence, or two pieces of ID which confirm your name and address like a bank statement, utility bill or official letter.
• Application forms can be downloaded or please call 0191 643 2270. 

Proxy Voters

If you are unable to vote in person you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. This is called a proxy vote

• Deadline to apply for a proxy vote – 5pm on Tuesday 26 April.
• A proxy voter is someone you trust who you appoint to vote on your behalf.
• You must already be registered to vote to make a proxy application.
• Your proxy must be eligible to vote in the election and will need to be able to vote in person at your polling station, or can apply to cast their proxy vote by post. They will receive a letter or poll card at their address giving them all the necessary details.
• Postal voters are not eligible to apply for a proxy vote.
• Download and print the temporary application form or email us to ask us to post an application form to you or by calling 0191 643 2270
• Emergency proxy votes may be available from after the proxy deadline until 5pm on polling day but only under specific circumstances.

Add your content here. Don't forget to add your group under Access Category, below.

Add your content here. Don't forget to add your group under Access Category, below.

Add your content here. Don't forget to add your group under Access Category, below.