Polling Places

Polling Places are the places that you go to cast your vote on polling day, please see links below for more information.

• List of Polling Places in Moray
• Find my Polling Place
• What is a Polling Place?
• Can I go to any Polling Station to vote?
• How do I know which Polling Station to vote at?
• Who decides the Polling District boundaries?
• Who decides which Places are Polling Places?
• Who are the staff at Polling Stations?
• I would like to work at a polling station, how do I apply?
• What if I am unable to vote at my Polling Place on election day?

What is a Polling Place?

A polling place is a the particular building where people go to cast their vote(s) during elections. This may be a local school, hall, community centre or sports club.

What is a polling station?

A polling station is located within a polling place. There may be more than one polling station in a polling place. Each polling station has a Presiding Officer and a Polling Clerk, who issue ballot papers to a pre-allocated number of voters living at addresses in a set area around the polling station. 

When you go to a polling place with more than one station there will be a street list displayed which tells you which station to go to collect your ballot paper. It is important that you return your ballot paper to the ballot box at the same polling station at which you were given your paper.

Can I go to any polling place to vote?

No, voters live within polling districts which are a sub-division of an electoral area, i.e. a constituency, an electoral region, or a ward. The polling district in which you live determines the polling station that you vote at. You can find your polling place by using the 'Find my Polling Place' search tool.

How do I know which Polling Place to vote at?

The polling place at which you are required to vote is printed on a pollard which is sent to your address shortly before an election/referendum. it is also published on a public notice called the "Situation of Polling Places" in the newspaper prior to a poll.You can find your polling place by using the 'Find my Polling Place' search tool.

Who decides the Polling District boundaries?

Polling districts are reviewed by the Council and the Electoral Registration Officer, often when there is a change in the Local Government ward boundaries or constituency boundaries. The polling district you live in determines the polling place you vote at.You can find your polling place by using the 'Find my Polling Place' search tool.

Who decides which places are Polling Places?

The Returning Officer decides on which places are designated as polling places. These are reviewed regularly to assess the suitability of the facility for the voter. Issues such as access and location, making sure that they as far as practicable and reasonable they are accessible to all voters are considered. Other factors are considered in designating a polling place such as the number of electorate, geographic location, ownership and maintenance, future population changes, facilities, parking and transport.

Who are the staff at Polling Stations?

At each polling station there will be a Presiding Officer and a Polling Clerk who issue ballot papers and check the eligibility of voters when they come to the station against lists that they have been issued. The staff are responsible for the polling station, it's running and also for ensuring the ballot box is transported the count. Anyone over 16 can register with the Election Office to work in a polling station, contact us for more information at election.enquiries@moray.gov.uk

I would like to work at a polling station, how do I apply?

Anyone over 16 can register with the election office to work in a polling station or at the count, contact us for more information at election.enquiries@moray.gov.uk or call the help line on 01343 563334. You annot work with us if you are involved in a candidate or referendum campaign.

What if I am unable to get to my Polling Place on Polling day?

If you are unable to attend your polling place to vote for whatever reason, you may be entitled to vote by post or to vote by proxy (a proxy is someone you trust to vote on your behalf). To do this you must apply for a postal or proxy vote by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer for the correct form. See the Postal and Proxy voting section