Everything you need to know about voting in the Assembly elections

There are more than 600 polling stations operating today throughout Northern Ireland.
VotingVoting
Voting

Stations opened today at 7am and will close at 10pm.

See the list of polling stations here.

For more information see the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

If you are in doubt where to cast your vote, check your polling card which will name the location you should attend.

What is the voting procedure at the polling station?

At the polling station table: A member of polling station staff will ask you to confirm your name and address.

You will be asked to produce your photographic identification.

They will issue the ballot paper to you.

You should then go to the polling booth, mark your ballot paper, fold it to conceal your vote and insert it into the ballot box.

If you need assistance you should ask a member of staff.

What identification do I need?

UK, Irish or EEA driving licence (photographic part) (provisional accepted)

UK, Irish or EU passport

Electoral Identity Card

Translink Senior SmartPass

Translink 60+ SmartPass

Translink War Disabled SmartPass

Translink Blind Person’s SmartPass

Identity documents produced at a polling station are no longer required to be current, as long as the photograph is of a good enough likeness to allow polling station staff to confirm the identity of the holder.

How do I vote?

On the ballot paper, mark a ‘1’ against your first preferred candidate, a ‘2’ against your second preferred candidate and so on, for as many candidates as you wish.

A pencil will be provided - this is because a pen could tear the ballot paper. Although you can use your own stationery.

Who do I vote for?

That is up to you!

But here is the full list of candidates standing in #AE17.

Can I tweet or take a selfie from inside the polling station?

The Electoral Commission warns against tweeting inside the polling station, even if it's about your own vote.

You can take pictures outside the polling station but you must not take pictures inside the polling station - if you inadvertently disclose how someone has voted you would be breaking the law.