5. What happens at an election count? A step-by-step guide
The ballot boxes arrive
Once polls close, staff deliver the ballot boxes containing postal votes and the ballot boxes from the polling stations to the count venue.
Each ballot box will have been allocated a unique number and will be checked in on arrival.
Stage one: verifying the ballot papers
Once all the ballot boxes have been checked in, count staff can begin verifying the number of ballot papers in each box.
This involves emptying each ballot box onto a table, counting the ballot papers into tens and hundreds, and then comparing the number of ballot papers that were in that box against the number recorded at the polling station or by the postal vote manager.
It is not possible to move on to counting the ballot papers until everything has been verified for that area.
Stage two: mixing the ballot papers
If there are multiple ballot boxes for a ward or area, ballot papers from different boxes are mixed together to preserve the secrecy of the vote.
Ballot papers not marked with an ‘X’ in the box next to a candidate are passed to the Returning Officer or a Deputy Returning Officer to check – as long the voter’s intention is clear, their vote can be accepted as valid and be counted.
If it is not possible to work out the voter’s intention, the voter has identified themself, or the ballot paper has been deliberately spoilt, the ballot paper must be rejected.
Stage three: counting the votes!
After the mixing is complete, the real excitement begins as our staff count the number of votes cast!
For an election with candidates, count staff will sort the ballot papers for that ward or area by candidate.
For a referendum, count staff will sort the ballot papers by option (i.e. into Yes or No votes).
Once all the votes and have been counted and checked against the total number of ballot papers verified during the first stage of the count, the Returning Officer will share the provisional result with any candidates, agents or other observers.
Declaring the result
If the candidates and agents are satisfied that there is a clear decision, it’s then time to announce the winner.
The Returning Officer will declare the result. The candidate(s) with the most votes will be elected as new councillor(s) or MP, and in the case of a referendum a statement will be read out confirming whether more votes were received in favour or against the referendum question.
Results from past elections are published on our website here.
