You can find information on the electoral register , information on voting , and can also use the Gazetteer to check which Ward/Constituency you live in.
Full results of the last Local, Parliamentary and European elections are available.
You can download a Voter Registration Form (.pdf, 49kb) to add yourself to the electoral register.
Applications to vote by post (.pdf, 45kb) can be downloaded here.
For more information on voting and to download a proxy application please click on the following link to the Electoral Commission's website about my vote (External link)
Voting guidance - Polling cards, postal votes and voting
Prior to all elections residents of Wigan Borough, who are eligible to vote, will receive a poll card through their door, the card will contain information on where to vote.
Most people in the UK choose to vote in person at a polling station. The polling station is usually a school, local hall or other community venue close to where you live.
The poll card is for your information only, you do not need to take it to the polling station with you in order to vote.
The following steps explain how to vote at your polling station on election day:
- On election day, go to your local polling station. Polling station opening hours are 7am - 10pm. If you are disabled and need assistance getting to the polling station, contact your electoral registration office to find out what help is available. You can also ask to have a companion with you when you vote, or staff in the polling station may be able to help you.
- Tell the staff inside the polling station your name and address so they can check that you are on the electoral register. You can show them your poll card, but you do not need it to vote.
- The staff at the polling station will give you a ballot paper listing the parties and candidates you can vote for. It will be stamped with an official mark. You may be given more than one ballot paper if there is more than one election on the same day. If you have a visual impairment, you can ask for a special voting device that allows you to vote on your own in secret.
- Take your ballot paper into a polling booth so that no one can see how you vote. Read the ballot paper carefully, it will tell you how to cast your vote. Do not write anything else on the paper or your vote may not be counted.
- Finally, when you have marked your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box. Do not let anyone see your vote. If you are not clear on what to do, ask the staff at the polling station to help you.
Postal Votes
Voting by post is a convenient alternative to voting in person for those people who are unable to get to a polling station.
To vote by post you need to be on the electoral register. You will also need to fill in a postal vote application form. Completed forms must be returned to Wigan Council’s Electoral Registration Office, Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1YN. Deadlines are in force for the receipt of postal applications prior to all elections.
A postal vote can be sent to your home address or any other address that you give. Postal votes can be sent overseas but you need to think about whether there will be enough time to receive and return them by election day.
Postal votes are sent out 7-10 days before an election. The pack you receive will contain a ballot paper and two envelopes. Once you have got it, mark your vote on the ballot paper and make sure you send it back so that it arrives in time for the close of poll – which is 10pm on election day. If it arrives later than this it will not be counted.
Remember:
- Keep your postal vote somewhere safe.
- Don’t let anyone else handle it.
- Complete your ballot alone.
- Don’t let anyone else see your vote.
- Put the vote in the envelope that comes with it and seal it yourself.
- Now, place this envelope and your postal voting statement in the larger envelope and seal it.
- Take it to the post box yourself if you can.
If you can't do that, either give it to somebody you know and trust to post it for you, or ring your local electoral registration office, to ask if they can collect it from you.
You can contact Wigan Council’s Electoral Registration Office for more information, advice and guidance on 01942 827168 or e-mail: elections@wigan.gov.uk
