Voting and democracy - a simple guide to key terms

Sometimes the language around voting can be sound confusing. That’s why we’ve created this clear guide to the most common terms used in voting, democracy and elections.

Assembly – A group of elected people who make decisions for a region (e.g. London Assembly)

Ballot (or ballot paper) – The paper you use to cast your vote in an election

Borough – An electoral area, usually  in a city/town that has its own local government

By-elections – Elections that happen when a political position becomes empty before the next main election

Citizenship – Being a legal member of a country with rights and responsibilities

Clerks – People who help councils with paperwork and organisation, as well as at polling stations

Commissioner – A person in charge of a public service, like police or fire safety

Constituency – The area that an MP represents in Parliament

Councillors – People elected to make decisions for their local area

County – A large area that has its own local government

Electoral register – The official list of people allowed to vote

Electoral Registration Office – Your local council team that manages voter registration and elections in your area

General elections – Nationwide votes to choose MPs for UK Parliament

Local authority – The local government that provides services and runs a local area

Local elections – Votes to choose local councillors or mayors

Mayor – The elected leader of a city or town

MP (Member of Parliament) – Someone elected to represent an area in UK Parliament

Polling day – The day an election takes place, when people can vote

Polling station – A place where people go to vote

Postal vote – Voting by sending your vote through the mail

Proxy voting – Letting someone else vote for you

Public services – Services provided by the government for everyone, like schools or hospitals

Recall petitions – A way for voters to try to remove an MP before their term ends

Referendum – A vote where the public decide on a specific issue, rather than choosing a representative

Turnout – The percentage of people who are eligible to vote that actually vote in an election

Ward – A small part of a local area used for elections

Now you’ve got the language, you’re better equipped to understand what’s going on around you and to take part, on your own terms.

To find out more about voting, like how to register to vote or how to vote by post, head over to the Electoral Commission.