Voters go to the polls on Thursday to elect new councillors for the next five years.
In West Lothian, voters will be asked to elect either three or four councillors in their local ward.
There are nine wards in the region, with a total of 33 councillors to be elected.
Registered voters will have already received their poll cards, detailing their local polling station.
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, May 5.
There is no need to take the polling card to the polling station, or any form of identification.
However, the polling card does helps help staff identify voters more quickly.
Unlike in a general election, X never marks the spot. Do not use an X. That, and any other marks on the ballot paper, could see the ballot paper discounted as spoiled.
Instead, under the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system, voters number the candidates in order of their choice, putting the number 1 in the box next to first choice, a number 2 in the box next to the second choice, and so on.
Rather than one person representing everyone in a small area, a small team of representatives, three or four, are then elected to reflect the diversity of opinions in the area.
On election day, voters can put their numbers next to as many or as few candidates as they like. This is why parties often stand more than one candidate in each area.
There is no need to fill in all the boxes. The fewer choices made mean the fewer votes that will transfer to others.
The numbers tell the people counting to move your vote if your favourite candidate has enough votes already or stands no chance of winning.
To get elected, a candidate needs a set amount of votes, known as the quota.
The people counting the votes work out the quota based on the number of vacancies and the number of votes cast.
Once the counting has finished, any candidate who has more number one votes than the quota is elected. But, rather than ignore extra votes a candidate received after the amount they need to win, these votes move to each voter’s second favourite candidate.
Pencils are provided in polling stations, but voters can bring their own pencils or pens.
Replacement ballot papers are available from polling station staff .
Arrangements will be available in the polling stations for voters who need help with reading the ballot paper or marking it. Emergency proxy applications can be made in some circumstances, especially in relation to covid isolation or medical advice.
Voters are reminded to be “distance-aware” and be considerate of those around you at polling stations.
Also, while it’s no longer a legal requirement, it would be appreciated if voters wear a face covering when moving around the polling station.
Postal voters should have all received their ballot papers.
Follow the instructions included and return the postal vote as soon as possible.
In West Lothian it can be posted using the pre-paid envelope or handed in at West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston. It can also be handed in at any polling station in the West Lothian Council area between 7am and 10 pm on polling day.
Replacements for lost or spoiled postal vote packs can be obtained until polling closes if required.
For more on the election please visit the West Lothian Council website.
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