Rev. 25 Dec 25
This election lets you rank candidates in your personal order of preference.
Filling in your ballot paper
- Put 1 next to the candidate you would most like to see elected as your local MP.
- If you wish, put 2 next to your second most preferred candidate, 3 next to your third most preferred candidate, and so on.
- Stop ranking candidates when you reach the point where you would not wish any of the remaining candidates to be elected.
- You can rank as many or as few candidates as you wish.
- You can also choose to vote for only one candidate, if you so wish.
Your vote will always count for your highest-ranked candidate who still remains in the contest.
What happens to your vote
- First, everyone’s number 1 choices are counted.
- If one candidate secures more than half the votes cast, they are immediately elected.
- If not, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated.
- If your first-choice candidate is eliminated, your vote moves to your next preferred candidate.
- This process continues until one candidate secures 50% or more support from all the registered electors who voted.
Important note: Ranking other candidates does not harm your first choice candidate in any way. Your lower-ranked choices are only counted if your first choice candidate cannot win.