To be eligible to vote you must be registered on the Electoral Register, by the Council having received a complete and valid Voter Registration form. You will then automatically receive a Poll Card at election time that entitles you to vote at your polling station. If you wish to vote by post or by proxy you must complete an additional form (please see below).

The electoral register is compiled as at the 15th October each year. If you have moved since that date we must receive a complete and valid Voter Registration form by the 18 April 2012, in order to be eligible to vote in the May 3 2012 District and Local elections. We would encourage you to register as early as possible.

If you need to check if you are registered to vote, please call the Helpline: 01453 754886.

Key Forms

Voter Registration, or: - PDF, 39KB

Voter Registration - (Armed Forces or spouse) - PDF, 28KB

Overseas Application - PDF, 122KB

Homeless Person - PDF, 23KB

Postal Application - PDF, 16KB

Proxy Application, or: - PDF, 16KB

Proxy Application Form - definite or indefinite period - PDF, 25KB

Please note:

On January 31 we are legally required to write to all absent voters (either postal or proxy) whose signatures are more than 5 years old, asking them to complete an application form to provide a fresh signature. If you are an absent voter and your signature is more than five years old please look out for these forms being delivered to your home. Please make sure that you complete and return the form as soon as possible, as we are legally required to send you a reminder. Non response will result in a cancellation of your absent vote, having a postal vote cancelled during this exercise does not prevent someone from reapplying. You can help the Council to save money by replying promptly; this will save us having to send you a reminder.

Why should I vote?
Voting is an important way in which you can make your voice heard on issues that concern you. Everyday decisions are made on your behalf by your elected representatives, e.g. Parish, District, County Councillors, MP and MEPs on a wide variety of local and national issues. Please do not lose your right to vote by registering your name on the electoral register.

If you lose your polling card
Poll cards are sent out approximately two weeks before polling day to remind voters of the election and their polling station.

If you do not receive a polling card?
You do not need a poll card to vote. If you know the date, time and place you can simply go to the polling station and ask for your ballot paper. If you are concerned please call the Helpline.

If you are under 18 years of age
People under the age of 18 are not allowed to vote.

If you are 18 on or before the day of the election you will be able to vote PROVIDED that you have been registered. Details of young people approaching 18 years of age in the life of the electoral register are collected in the annual canvass each year.

If you are not on the register of electors you can apply to be added. You can request a form to be added to the register by contacting the Helpline.

If you have moved house
As long as you have applied to change your registration to your new address, you will be able to vote in that area. You will receive confirmation that your name has been changed to your new address. If your name remains on the register for your old address, you can go on polling day to your old polling station and vote in the normal way.

If it is too late to re-register for the next election and you do not want to go to your old polling station, then please complete a postal or proxy vote within the timeframe specified.

If you have changed your name
If you have changed your name please put the details of the change in a letter and send it to electoral services. The letter needs to state your previous and current names in full, together with your address and signature. If possible, please include a non returnable photocopy of any relevant documentation regarding your change of name.

If a relative has died
If you wish to remove a deceased relative from the electoral register please contact the Helpline.

What happens in the polling station?
Once inside the polling station present yourself to one of the polling staff who will ask you to confirm your name and address. It is helpful if you take your poll card with you. You will then be given your ballot paper, or papers if there are two or more elections being held on the same day, and invited to go to a polling booth where you can mark your "X" in secret and in your own time. Instructions on how to mark your paper are displayed in the polling booth or you can ask any of the polling staff if you are unsure what to do.

• Timetable of Proceedings for Thursday 3 May 2012 - PDF

Your polling station's location will be on the poll card that will be delivered to you before polling day. Polling hours are between 7am – 10pm for elections.

You can find your nearest polling station by entering your street address or postcode using our 'Where I Live' facility. Polling station details are located under Parish and Political Information.

Please see election notices to find out which wards and parishes are up this year.

Details of those wards with seats up for election on 3 May 2012.

A referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs took place across the UK on Thursday 5 May 2011.

Alternative Vote Referendum Result - Declaration of Count Totals

6 May - Parliamentary elections results - PDF, 17KB

6 May - District election results - PDF, 57.86KB

27 May - Parish election results - PDF, 33KB

25 March - Nailsworth by-election - PDF, 9KB

4 June - Stroud European parliamentary election Results - PDF, 7KB

4 June - County election results - PDF, 24KB

1 May - District election results - PDF, 30KB

1 May - Parish election results - PDF, 14KB

3 May - District election results - PDF, 29KB

3 May - Parish election results - PDF, 17KB

30 August - Nailsworth by-election - PDF, 7KB

1 November - Minchinhampton by-election- PDF, 6 KB

4 May - District election results - PDF, 29KB

4 May - Parish election results - PDF, 19KB

16 November - Cainscross by-election - PDF, 7KB

4 May - Stroud Valleys by-election - PDF, 7KB

5 May- Parliamentary elections results - PDF, 8KB

5 May - County election results - PDF, 22KB

30 June - Cainscross by-election - PDF, 7KB

10 June - European parliamentary election results - PDF, 6KB

10 June - District and parish election results - PDF 87KB

1 May - Parish election results - PDF, 10KB

2 May - District election results - PDF, 25KB

7 June - Parliamentary and county election results - PDF, 8KB

4 May - District election results - PDF, 8KB