What do you have to do to vote?

As this will be the first time many people have cast their vote, I thought it might be useful to explain what actually happens when you go and vote.

If you are on the list of the people who can vote (the 'electoral register') then you should by now have had a postcard (a 'polling card') with your name and address on it and telling you either that you have registered to vote by post (in which case you should already have been sent a ballot paper) or telling you where to go and vote.

If you are voting in person, election day is next Thursday, May 6th. The polling stations are all open from 7am to 10pm. When you go and vote it is helpful if you take your polling card with you, but it doesn't matter if you've lost it or can't find it.

You go in to the polling station and give your name and address to the clerks. They will check that you are on the list and haven't already voted and will then hand you a ballot paper. This is a list of the people who want to be your MP, together with a description (eg "Liberal Democrats") and a part logo (eg in our case the 'bird of liberty').

You take your ballot paper to one of the booths and you put a cross in the box next to the name of the candidate that you want to be your MP. You then fold your ballot paper and place it into the ballot box (usually a big black metal box with a slit in the top).

That's all there is to it! If you haven't received a polling card or are not sure where to go and vote, you can check with the Council on 01454 863030.