Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

House of Commons

Session 2010 - 11
Internet Publications
Other Bills before Parliament

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 2 — Rules for conduct of the referendum
Part 2 — Forms referred to in referendum rules
55

(a)
the heading “Referendum on the voting system for parliamentary
elections”;
(b)
the direction “Vote (X) once only”;
(c)
those constituting the referendum question;
(d)
those indicating the alternative forms of answer to the question; and
5
(e)
if the official mark is printed on the front of the ballot paper, any
words forming part of that mark.
4
Nothing must be printed on the back of the ballot paper except—
(a)
the number and other unique identifying mark;
(b)
the name of the referendum: “Referendum on the voting system for
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parliamentary elections”;
(c)
the name of the voting area;
(d)
the date of the poll; and
(e)
the official mark (if it is not printed on the front of the ballot paper).
5
Words printed on the ballot paper must be printed in a clear typeface and in
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characters of such a size that they are easily legible.
6
The following words on the front of the ballot paper must be printed in large
characters—
(a)
Referendum on the voting system for parliamentary elections;
(b)
Vote (X) once only.
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7
The following words on the front of the ballot paper must be printed in bold
characters—
(a)
the words mentioned in paragraph 6(a);
(b)
the words indicating the alternative forms of answer to the
referendum question.
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8
In relation to the referendum question and answers—
(a)
a horizontal rule must separate each of the answers to the question
from one another and, in the case of the first answer, from the
question;
(b)
each of the answers must be separated by a vertical rule from a box
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providing a space in respect of each answer for marking a vote;
(c)
the portions containing each of the answers to the question must be
of equal size;
(d)
the spaces for marking a vote for each answer must be of equal size.
Rule 6(2)
35
Form 2 - Form of corresponding number list (to be used if referendum taken
alone)

Voting area: ........................................

Date of Poll: .........................................

Sheet No.: .............................................

40

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 2 — Rules for conduct of the referendum
Part 2 — Forms referred to in referendum rules
56

Ballot Paper Number
Unique Identifying Mark
Elector Number (to be

completed only in respect of

ballot papers issued to

postal voters)

5

10

15

Rule 11(1)(b)
Form 3 - Form of postal voting statement
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Postal Voting Statement

Referendum on the voting system

for United Kingdom parliamentary elections

25

*Voter’s name: .................................
Ballot paper no. ............................

*Counting officer to insert name but omit where ballot papers sent to an anonymous elector

[other identifying mark]

You must provide your [# signature and] date of birth. If you do not, the postal

voting statement will be invalid and your vote will not be counted.

30

I AM THE PERSON THE BALLOT PAPER NUMBERED ABOVE WAS SENT TO

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 2 — Rules for conduct of the referendum
Part 2 — Forms referred to in referendum rules
57

Date of birth
DDMMYYYY
(voter’s date of birth)

#Signature

(voter’s signature)

IMPORTANT - Keep

signature within border

#(Counting officer to omit where a person has been granted a waiver)

5

It is an offence to vote using a ballot paper that is not addressed to you.

PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS TO THE VOTER

Issued by the counting officer

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE VOTER

Complete the ballot paper yourself and in private. If you need help, contact

10

the counting officer’s staff as shown below.

[contact details for assistance; include address as appropriate]

1.
You must provide your [#signature and] date of birth. If you do not, the

postal voting statement will be invalid and your vote will not be counted.

2.
Vote once only. Do not mark the ballot paper in any other way or your vote

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may not be counted.

3.
Mark a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper

opposite the answer you are voting for.

4.
If you need help voting, the person helping you must not tell anyone how

you voted.

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5.
Put the ballot paper in the small envelope marked A and seal it.

6.
Complete the postal voting statement by [#signing it, and] providing your

date of birth.

7.
Then put the envelope marked A together with the postal voting statement

in the larger envelope marked B. Return it straightaway.

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8.
After receiving this postal vote, you cannot vote in person at a polling

station in this referendum.

9.
If you accidentally spoil your ballot paper, you can apply to the counting

officer for a replacement before 5 pm on [day/date of poll]. You must return

the spoilt ballot paper, the postal voting statement and the envelopes

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marked A and B. Make sure you contact the counting officer as soon as

possible.

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 2 — Rules for conduct of the referendum
Part 2 — Forms referred to in referendum rules
58

!
Your ballot paper and the postal voting statement must be received by the

counting officer by 10 pm on [day/date of poll]. You can deliver your

completed postal vote to any polling station in your voting area on polling

day.

It is an offence to vote using a ballot paper that is not addressed to you.

5

It is illegal to vote more than once (unless you are appointed as a proxy for

another person) in this referendum.

#(Counting officer to omit where a person has been granted a waiver)

Rule 11(1)(c)
Form 4 - Declaration of identity (Northern Ireland)
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Front of form

Declaration of identity

Referendum on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary

elections

Ballot Paper no.............................................

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I am the person to whom the ballot paper numbered above was sent.

My date of birth is .............. (you are not required to give your date of birth if you

are to vote as a proxy for someone else).

Voter’s signature .........................................

The voter, who is personally known to me, has signed this declaration in my

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presence.

Witness’s signature ......................................................................................

Name of witness (WRITE CLEARLY) ............................................................

Address of witness (WRITE CLEARLY) .......................................................

........................................................................................................................

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SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BACK OF THIS FORM

Back of form

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE VOTER

1. You must sign this declaration of identity in the presence of a person known to

you. That person should then sign this declaration as a witness, adding his or her

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name and address. Without this the declaration will be invalid.

2. Vote once only. Put no other mark on the ballot paper or your vote may not be

counted.

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 2 — Rules for conduct of the referendum
Part 2 — Forms referred to in referendum rules
59

3. Mark a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite

the answer you are voting for. Do this secretly. If you cannot vote without

assistance, the person assisting you must not disclose how you have voted.

4. Put the ballot paper in the small envelope marked “A” and seal it. Then put the

envelope marked “A”, together with the declaration of identity, in the larger

5

envelope marked “B”. Return it without delay. The ballot paper must be received

by the counting officer not later than the close of the poll.

5. If you receive more than one ballot paper, remember that it is illegal to vote

more than once (otherwise than as proxy) in this referendum.

6. In this referendum you cannot vote in person at a polling station.

10

7. If you inadvertently spoil your ballot paper, you can apply to the counting

officer for another one. With your application you must return, in your own

envelope, the spoilt ballot paper, the declaration of identity and the envelopes

marked “A” and “B”. We can only issue replacement postal ballot papers before 5

p.m. on [-1 day/date deadline].

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Rule 14(4)(a)
Form 5 - Official poll card (to be sent to an elector not voting by post)
Front of card

Referendum on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary

elections

20

OFFICIAL POLL CARD

Voting area .......................................
Number on register .......................

Polling Day .......................................
*Name .................................................

Polling hours: 7 am to 10 pm
*Address ...........................................

Your polling station will be:
.............................................................

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.............................................................
.............................................................

*Counting officer to omit where poll card

sent to an anonymous elector. Poll card to

anonymous elector must be delivered in a

sealed envelope.

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*This card is for information only. You can vote without it, but it will save you

time if you take it to the polling station and show it to the clerk there.

SEE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE BACK OF THIS CARD

Back of card

Referendum on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary elections

35

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 2 — Rules for conduct of the referendum
Part 2 — Forms referred to in referendum rules
60

*When you go to the polling station, tell the clerk your name and address, as

shown on the front of the card.

*The clerk will confirm your details on the register.

When you are given your ballot paper, go to one of the polling booths. Mark a

cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite the answer

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you are voting for.

Vote ONCE only. Do not put any other mark on the ballot paper, or your vote

may not be counted.

If you spoil your ballot paper by mistake, show it to the presiding officer and ask

for a replacement.

10

Fold the ballot paper in two. Show the presiding officer the number and other

unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper, but do not let anyone see

your vote. Put the ballot paper in the ballot box and leave the polling station.

If you will be away on the date of the poll—

•
You can apply to vote by post. Your application must be received by the

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electoral registration officer before 5 pm on [-11 day/date deadline]. If you

are given a postal vote, you will not be entitled to vote in person in this

referendum.

•
You can apply to vote by proxy (this means someone else can vote on your

behalf). Your application must be received before 5 pm on [-6 day/date

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deadline]. If you appoint a proxy, you can still vote in this referendum

yourself provided you do so before your proxy votes for you and provided

your proxy is not entitled to vote on your behalf by post.

In certain circumstances it may be possible to apply to vote by proxy after [-6 day/

deadline].

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To change any of your voting arrangements please contact [helpline number] as

soon as possible.

ISSUED BY THE COUNTING OFFICER

[Where poll card sent to an anonymous elector substitute for the paragraphs marked with *

above—

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You must have this card with you when you vote. You cannot vote without it.

When you go to the polling station, ask to speak to the presiding officer and

show them this card.

The presiding officer will confirm your entry on the register.]

Rule 14(4)(b)
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Form 6 - Official postal poll card (to be sent to an elector voting by post)
Front of card

Referendum on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary

elections

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 2 — Rules for conduct of the referendum
Part 2 — Forms referred to in referendum rules
61

OFFICIAL POSTAL POLL CARD

Voting area .......................................
This poll card is to tell you that you

For the referendum on: [day/date]
will receive a postal vote for this

Number on Register: ..........................
referendum because you have asked to

*Name and Address:
We will send your postal voting

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papers around [day/date].

.............................................................
*Addressed to:

(Name and Address)

If your postal voting papers have not

arrived by [day/date] call [helpline

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number] and ask for help.

*Counting officer to omit where postal poll card sent to an anonymous elector. Postal

poll card to anonymous elector must be delivered in a sealed envelope.

If you lose or accidentally spoil your postal ballot paper, please call [helpline

number] as soon as possible. Replacement ballot papers can only be issued before

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5 pm on [day/date of poll].

This card is to provide you with information about voting by post.

SEE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE BACK OF THIS CARD

Back of card

Referendum on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary elections

20

When you receive your postal voting pack, please read the instructions with it

carefully before completing your postal ballot paper.

Do not let anyone see your vote. If you need help voting, the person helping you

must not tell anyone how you have voted. You can get independent help from the

counting officer: please call our helpline on [helpline number].

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You must sign the postal voting statement (unless you have been granted a waiver

by prior arrangement with the electoral registration officer) and provide your date

of birth. This is a security measure. It will not affect your vote or mean it can be

identified. Without your signature and date of birth the statement will not be valid

and your vote will not be counted. The counting officer can cross check your

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signature against other records that they hold.

If you lose or accidentally spoil your ballot paper, please call the helpline number

below as soon as possible. We can only issue replacement postal ballot papers

before 5 pm on [day/date of poll].