How to Vote 4: Collect your ballot paper

The staff at the desk in the polling station will ask you your name and address so that they can check that you are on the electoral register. You do not have to show them your poll card.

But in Northern Ireland you will be asked to prove your identity with a document which has your photo.

The ballot paper has the name of all the people or parties that you can vote for.

Sometimes there is more than one paper because there is more than one election on the same day. In June 2009 most people who voted had a ballot paper for their local council to decide who would represent them in their local area.

They also had a ballot paper for the European Parliament to decide who would represent them in Europe.

If you need help with voting you can ask the polling station to help you, but you must decide yourself who you want to vote for.