Ballot paper: This is the piece of paper you use to make your vote. It shows a list of candidates and voters have to write a cross next to their choice.
Candidate: A person who wants to be elected or has been nominated to be elected is called a candidate.
Canvasser: People who want a candidate to win can help them by becoming a canvasser for their election campaign. A canvasser asks voters who they will vote for and tries to get as many people as possible to vote for their candidate.
Constituency: The UK is divided up into 646 areas called constituencies. The voters in each constituency get to elect 1 MP to represent the people in their area.
Election campaign: Around election time, candidates and their supporters organise events and activities to convince people that they are the best person to vote for.
Electoral register: Across the UK there are electoral registers. These are lists of all the people who have decided they want to vote at elections. You must have your name on this list before you can vote.
Electorate: This is what we call everyone who is able to vote in an election.
Government: The institution which runs the country. The Prime Minister selects the Members of the Government from MPs, Lords and very occasionally senior people outside Parliament.
Manifesto: This is something that political parties write around the time of an election, which tells us what they would do if the got elected. A manifesto usually contains pledges (plans of action) on important issues and is often a big part of the election campaign.
MP: At a general election, the people in a constituency (area) can vote to decide who will represent them in Parliament. The person they choose is called a Member of Parliament or an MP.
Parliament: Where new laws are debated and created.
Poll card: This card is sent to everybody who is registered to vote – it has important information about the election like when, where and what time to vote.
Local Election
What is a Local Council Election?
A Local Council Election is when people choose who will represent them on their Local Council. Local Councils look after the services and facilities in your neighbourhood. These often include council housing, education, environmental health and leisure facilities. Local Council Elections take place every 4 years. Almost every person over the age of 18 is entitled to vote, provided they are on the electoral register to vote. Visit the Electoral Commission's "About My Vote" website to find out what's happening in your area.
What are the different types of council?
There are different types of council in the UK depending on where you live.
• Metropolitan District Council
If you live in London or one of the larger cities of England, you will have a London Borough or Metropolitan District Council (MDC). These provide all local services.
• Unitary Authorities
You will have a unitary authority if you live in Scotland or Wales, or if you live in a medium-sized town / city in England. These councils provide all local services. Examples of unitary authorities include Bournemouth and Nottingham.
• County Council and District Councils
In rural or semi-rural parts of England, local government is split between a county council and a district council. County councils cover large areas, like Devon or Kent, and provide about 80 % of services for that area. District councils cover smaller areas and provide more locally based services.
• Greater London Authority
The Greater London Authority (GLA) is the city-wide governing body for London. It consists of a directly-elected Mayor of London and 25 other elected members.
What council covers me?
To find out what type of local council you live under, type your postcode into the elections section of this Electoral Commission website: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
What do candidates do during a campaign?
To convince people to vote for them, candidates might make speeches, have debates or go “door to door” talking to local people about issues that affect them. Together, these activities are known as an election campaign. To help them with these activities, candidates need an election campaign team with speech writers, canvassers, press officers and spin doctors.