Can I Take A Selfie In A Polling Station?

Polling stations for the general election and the local elections are open until 10pm.

If you arrive after 10pm, you will not be able to vote. If you are in a queue by 10pm you will still be able to vote.

Where is my polling station?

Details of your polling station will be on the poll card you received in the run-up to the election.

The card is for information only and you do not need to take it with you when you vote, although it can speed things up.

How do I vote at a polling station?

The staff at the polling station will give you a ballot paper listing the candidates you can vote for.

You may be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election taking place in your local area on the same day.

If you need any help or advice, just ask the staff at the polling station.

Put an X in the box next to the candidate you want to vote for.

If you make a mistake on your ballot paper, don’t worry, so long as you haven’t already put it in the ballot box just let the polling station staff know and they can issue you with a replacement ballot paper.

Fold your completed ballot paper in half, show the back to the presiding officer and then pop it in the ballot box - and that’s it done.

Can I take a selfie in a polling station?

People are being warned not to reach for their phones when they enter polling booths to cast their votes.

The Electoral Commission advises voters against photography inside polling stations so that they can avoid inadvertently breaching laws on the secrecy of ballots.

Although there is nothing to stop someone taking a picture of their own ballot paper, it is an offence to communicate or publicise this information to anyone else.

Sharing a photographic image of a ballot paper could infringe secrecy requirements under Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Those found guilty of such a breach can face a fine or even six months in prison.

The Electoral Commission said: "The law against releasing information obtained in a polling station is there to protect the integrity of the poll and the secrecy of the ballot.

"Remember that pictures of you before you go into or after you leave the polling station are great to use on social media posts but don't take a picture of yourself inside the polling station as if you post this it could be a breach of the law.''

Can I post on Facebook or Twitter who I voted for?

Once you leave the polling station you are free to post on social media which candidates or party you voted for.

Can I take my children into the polling station?

Yes of course, it may even get them interested in politics at an early age.

Can I take my dog into the polling station?

Yes, as long as it's on a lead (and it doesn't vote!).