Polling station staff training session

1. Polling station staff training session UK Parliamentary general election

2. Objectivesof the training • To provide an overview of the election process • Ensure you are familiar with the rules and procedures described in the polling station handbook

3. Key points • It is essential that you: • are aware of relevant rules and procedures. Some processes will have changed since 2005! • arrive at the polling station in good time to set up • maintain the security of the ballot box and the secrecy of the vote at all times • offer a professional service to all voters • know what to do at the close of poll

4. Overview of the election

5. Specifically about this election • There are 650 constituencies in the UK • New constituency boundaries (except Scotland) – overall up 4 from 646 • We cover X constituencies • First-past-the-post voting system

6. Preparation and the polling station

7. Preparation – You and the polling place • Pre-planning means knowing where you are going and how long it will take you • Polling hours 7 am – 10 pm: arrive promptly • You are the customer service face of the election - be friendly and helpful to all electors, act impartially and comply with the rules

8. Customer care • Ensure you are able to provide assistance to all electors: • you must be able to provide information to disabled electors on options for voting aided and unaided • people with learning disabilities may need you to guide them through the voting process • Always give voters the appropriate assistance to enable them to cast their vote!

9. Preparation and the polling station • Make sure the polling place/polling station is well signed • Make sure the route to the polling station and the polling station itself is accessible • Make sure the layout assists easy movement of the voters – check for obstructions, particularly at a low level • Make sure polling booths are not overlooked, are well-lit but out of direct sunlight

10. Preparation – your role • Familiarise yourself with the register • Place the corresponding number list (CNL) alongside the register • Check that you have the ballot papers arranged in numerical sequence according to the CNL

11. Checking the ballot papers • All ballot papers must have • an official mark • a ballot paper number and a Unique Identifying Mark (UIM)

12. Back of ballot paper

13. The voting process and special procedures

14. Who is eligible? • Electors with no letters or dates before their name • Electors who are 18 years of age or over on the day of the election – date on or before polling day before their name • Electors with an ‘F’ – overseas voters • Electors who have registered anonymously - will have an ‘N’ instead of a name

15. The voting process –Getting it right • Greet the elector and ask them to confirm their name and address • Confirm they are eligible by checking the register • Mark the register and CNL: • Mark the registerwith a straight line • Read out the elector’s name, elector number and polling district reference from the register • Enter the elector’s number on the Corresponding Number List (CNL) • DO NOT write anything on the ballot paper!

16. Marking the register Click to: return to slide

17. The Corresponding Number List (CNL) BC 414

18. The voting process –issuing the ballot paper • Ensure the ballot paper to be issued bears the official mark • Fold the ballot paper, then hand it to the voter unfolded • Ask the voter to mark their ballot paper and then - • fold it to maintain the secrecy of the vote and show the unique mark to the Presiding Officer before placing it in the ballot box

19. Special procedures • Postalvotes returned to the polling station – they have to be for the constituency! Check the constituency name on the envelope before accepting. • Spoilt ballot papers – account for the spoilt one on the CNL and issue a replacement • [Insert local instructions here] • Electors not on the register • Are they in the right polling station? • Did they complete a canvass/rolling registration form? • Contact election office

20. Close of poll and completion of key documents

21. Close of poll – those last critical moments • Dealing with voters at 10pm • Sealing the ballot box – who can add their seal? • Removing notices and clearing the polling station

22. Completion of the key documents • The ballot paper account – does it balance? • Be aware of the instructions for getting things to the count • The ballot box • The ballot paper account • The postal votes handed in but not collected • The sealed envelopes, sacks, etc. – correctly completed and neatly packed.

23. Any questions?