Representation of the People Act 1983

Voting procedure U.K.

[F1 37 (1) A ballot paper shall be delivered to a voter who applies for one, and immediately before delivery— E+W+S

(a) the number and (unless paragraph (2) applies) name of the elector as stated in the copy of the register of electors shall be called out;

(b) the number of the elector shall be marked on the list mentioned in rule 29(3)(e) beside the number of the ballot paper to be issued to him;

(c) a mark shall be placed in the register of electors against the number of the elector to note that a ballot paper has been received but without showing the particular ballot paper which has been received;

(d) the voter shall sign the list mentioned in rule 29(3)(e) beside the number of the elector marked on the list in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) above; and

(e) in the case of a person applying for a ballot paper as proxy, a mark shall also be placed against his name in the list of proxies.

(2) In the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, he must show the presiding officer his official poll card and only his number shall be called out in pursuance of paragraph (1)(a).

(3) In the case of an elector who is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D), paragraph (1) above is modified as follows—

(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “copy of the register of electors” substitute “ copy of the notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of this Act ”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (c), for “in the register of electors” substitute “ on the copy of the notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of this Act ”.

(4) Paragraph (1)(d) above does not apply to a voter to whom rule 38 or 39 applies.

(5) The voter, on receiving the ballot paper, shall forthwith proceed into one of the compartments in the polling station and there secretly mark his paper and fold it up so as to conceal his vote, and shall then show to the presiding officer the back of the paper, so as to disclose the number and other unique identifying mark, and put the ballot paper so folded up into the ballot box in the presiding officer's presence.

(6) The voter shall vote without undue delay, and shall leave the polling station as soon as he has put his ballot paper into the ballot box.

[F2 (7) A voter who at the close of the poll is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purpose of voting shall (despite the close of the poll) be entitled to apply for a ballot paper under paragraph (1); and these rules apply in relation to such a voter accordingly.]]

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 rule 37 substituted (E.W.S.) (1.1.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 47, 77, Sch. 1 para. 75; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 12(d)

F2 Sch. 1 rule 37(7) inserted (E.W.S.) (22.5.2014) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), ss. 19(2), 27(1); S.I. 2014/336, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 Sch. 1 rule 37 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

Sch. 1 rule 37 modified (17.2.1994) by S.I. 1994/342, arts. 1(2)(3), 2(2), 16(4)

C10 Sch. 1 rule 37 applied (with modifications) (31.7.1997) by Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Act 1997 (c. 61), s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 13 Table 2

37 (1) [F3 Subject to paragraphs (1A) to (1G) below, a] ballot paper shall be delivered to a voter who applies for one, and immediately before delivery— N.I.

(a) F4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) the number, [F5 and name] of the elector as stated in the copy of the register of electors shall be called out;

(c) the number of the elector shall be marked on [F6 the list mentioned in rule 29(3)(e) beside the number of the ballot paper to be issued to him] ;

(d) a mark shall be placed in the register of electors against the number of the elector to denote that a ballot paper has been received but without showing the particular ballot paper which has been received; and

(e) in the case of a person applying for a ballot paper as proxy, a mark shall also be placed against his name in the list of proxies.

[F7 (1ZA) In the case of an elector who is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13BA(9), paragraph (1) is modified as follows—

(a) in sub-paragraph (b), for “copy of the register of electors” substitute copy of the notice issued under section 13BA(9);

(b) in sub-paragraph (d), for “in the register of electors” substitute on the copy of the notice issued under section 13BA(9).]

[F8 (1A) A ballot paper shall not be delivered to a voter unless he has produced a specified document to the presiding officer or a clerk.

(1B) Where a voter produces a specified document, the presiding officer or clerk to whom it is produced shall deliver a ballot paper to the voter unless the officer or clerk decides that

[F9 (a) the document; or

(b) the apparent age of the voter as compared with his age according to the date supplied as the date of his birth pursuant to section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b) of this Act,

raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy he represents himself to be.,]

(1C) [F10 Where in such a case it is a presiding officer who so decides,] he shall refuse to deliver a ballot paper to the voter.

[F11 (1D) Where in such a case it is a clerk who so decides, he shall refer the matter and produce the document to the presiding officer, who shall proceed as if it had been to him that the voter had presented himself and produced the document in the first place.]

(1E) For the purposes of this rule a specified document is one which for the time being falls within the following list:—

[F12 (a) a current licence to drive a motor vehicle if the licence bears the photograph of the person to whom it is issued;]

(b) a current passport issued by the Government of the United Kingdom or by the Government of the Republic of Ireland;

(c) F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f) F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g) F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F14 (h) a current electoral identity card issued under section 13C of this Act]

[F15 (i) a Senior SmartPass issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme for use from 1st May 2002]

[F16 In sub-paragraph (a) a licence to drive a motor vehicle is a licence granted under Part 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 or Part 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (excluding a provisional licence), or under Article 12 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 or any corresponding enactment for the time being in force.]

(1F) Regulations may make provision varying the list in paragraph (1E) above (whether by adding or deleting documents or varying any description of document).

(1G) References in this rule to producing a document are to producing it for inspection.]

(2) The voter, on receiving the ballot paper, shall forthwith proceed into one of the compartments in the polling station and there secretly mark his paper and fold it up so as to conceal his vote, and shall then show to the presiding officer the back of the paper, so as to disclose [F17 the number and other unique identifying mark] , and put the ballot paper so folded up into the ballot box in the presiding officer’s presence.

(3) The voter shall vote without undue delay, and shall leave the polling station as soon as he has put his ballot paper into the ballot box.

[F18 (4) A voter who at the close of the poll is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purpose of voting shall (despite the close of the poll) be entitled to apply for a ballot paper under paragraph (1); and these rules apply in relation to such a voter accordingly.]

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1 Sch. 1 r. 37: for previous exercises of this power, see Index of Government Orders.

P2 Sch. 1 rule 37(1F): s. 53 (with s. 201(1), Sch. 1 r. 37(1F) and Sch. 2 para. 11A) power exercised (N.I.) by S.I.1991/1674.

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words substituted (N.I.) by Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 2(3)(a)

F4 Sch. 1 rule 37(1)(a) repealed (N.I.) (1.7.2008) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 47, 74(2), 77, Sch. 1 para. 90(2)(a), Sch. 2; S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 5

F5 Words substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 81

F6 Words in Sch. 1 rule 37(1)(c) substituted (N.I.) (1.7.2008) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 47, 77, Sch. 1 para. 90(2)(b); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 5

F7 Sch. 1 rule 37(1ZA) inserted (14.5.2008) by Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33), ss. 30(1), 31, Sch. 4 para. 6(4); S.I. 2008/1318, art. 2

F8 Sch. 1 rule 37(1A)–(1G) inserted (N.I.) by Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 1(2)

F9 Words in Sch. 1 rule 37(1B) substituted (N.I.) (1.12.2002) by Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 13), s. 2(3)(a); S.I. 2002/1648, art. 4

F10 Words in Sch. 1 rule 37(1C) substituted (N.I.) (1.12.2002) by Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 13), s. 2(3)(b); S.I. 2002/1648, art. 4

F11 Sch. 1 rule 37(1D) substituted (N.I.) (1.12.2002) by Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 13), s. 2(3)(c); S.I. 2002/1648, art. 4

F12 Sch. 1 rule 37(1E)(a) substituted (N.I.) (30.4.2003) by The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Variation of Specified Documents) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1156), reg. 3(1)(2)

F13 Sch. 1 rule 37(1E)(c)-(g) omitted (N.I.) (30.4.2003) by virtue of The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Variation of Specified Documents) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1156), reg. 3(1)(3)

F14 Sch. 1 rule 37(1E)(h) inserted (N.I.) (1.12.2002) by Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 13), s. 4(3); S.I. 2002/1648, art. 4

F15 Sch. 1 rule 37(1E)(i) inserted (N.I.) (7.8.2002) by Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1873), reg. 9, Sch. 1

F16 Words in Sch. 1 rule 37(1E) substituted (N.I.) (30.4.2003) by The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Variation of Specified Documents) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1156), reg. 3(1)(4)

F17 Words in Sch. 1 rule 37(2) substituted (N.I.) (1.7.2008) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 47, 77, Sch. 1 para. 90(3); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 5

F18 Sch. 1 rule 37(4) inserted (N.I.) (22.5.2014) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), ss. 19(3), 27(1); S.I. 2014/336, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 Sch. 1 rule 37 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

Sch. 1 rule 37 modified (17.2.1994) by S.I. 1994/342, arts. 1(2)(3), 2(2), 16(4)

C12 Sch. 1 rule 37 applied (with modifications) (4.5.1996) by The Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1220), art. 3(1)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

Sch. 1 rule 37 applied (with modifications) (25.4.1998) by The Northern Ireland Negotiations (Referendum) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1126), art. 6, Sch. 2

C13 Sch. 1 rule 37 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by The Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599), art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1); modified (16.2.2011) by 2011 (c. 1), s. 19(1), Sch. 8 para. 22(4); and amended (8.2.2022) by S.I. 2022/47, regs. 1(2), 3(2)