Information about Voting Reading Answers

Mar 19, 2025

Information about Voting Reading Answers contains 7 questions, and it is a topic belonging to the assessment system of IELTS general reading test. Information about Voting Reading Answers has to be answered within 10 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, there are questions like Write no more than three words for each answer. Also, Information about Voting Reading Answers contains all the information about voting. To practice reading papers like that, the candidates can refer to IELTS Reading Practice test.

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Information about Voting

First of all, be eligible to vote. To do this, you need to register. You have to fill in the form online, print it off and send it to your local electoral registration office. If you're not online, pick up the form at the post office. Registration is straightforward and free. There are services that charge to help you register, but these are unnecessary and there is no need to use them.

Next, you need to be on the local electoral register, so you can vote in elections and referendums. Do this online or drop by your local council. It's possible you already are on the electoral register. To find out, contact your local council. Once you're on the electoral register, you'll be sent a form two months before the election. The form should list all the people who'll be living at your address on 15 October and who are eligible to vote. You need to check your details are correct and return the form, even if there's no change or no one's eligible to vote at your address.

Voting normally takes place at polling stations. Your council will send you a poll card just before an election, telling you where and when to vote. If you haven't received a poll card but think you should have, then contact the Elections Office. Polling stations are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on polling day, and are usually public buildings like schools or local halls. Every polling station must provide at least one large print display version of the ballot paper and a special device, so that blind people can vote. You can take your poll card with you to the polling station to show who you are, but you don't have to. You can still vote even if you've lost your polling card. Give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station when you arrive. You'll be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or other options you can vote for. Take your ballot paper into a polling booth. Follow the instructions on the notices in the polling booth and on the top of the ballot paper to vote. Put the completed ballot paper into the box provided on the way out. You are then finished.

If you are unable to vote, you can ask someone to vote for you, and tell them who to vote for. This is called a proxy vote. To do this, you will need to provide the person who will vote for you with an authorization signed by you and countersigned by a solicitor. The solicitor will need to see your passport as proof of identity, proof of address and any relevant residence or visa paperwork. If you move overseas, you can still vote for up to 15 years after moving abroad. Overseas voters can vote by post or by proxy - or in person if they happen to be in the right place on polling day and aren't voting by post or proxy.

You must apply for a postal vote if you want to vote by post, for example if you're away from home or you're abroad. You don't need to give a reason for asking to vote by post. You can apply to vote by post, for a single election on a specific date, for a specific period and/or permanently. When voting by post, you should mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret, fill in the postal voting statement, put the ballot and statement in the envelope provided and seal the envelope yourself. Post your ballot back as quickly as possible to make sure it's counted. If you're too late to post your ballot paper back, you can hand it in by 10 p.m. on polling day to your local polling station. Make a new application for a postal vote if you move house or you'll be away from home when the postal vote is sent out. Contact your local Electoral Registration Office if you spoil or lose your postal ballot paper. You can get a replacement up to 5 p.m. on polling day.

Questions 21-27

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

NOTES ON VOTING

- Register for free with the appropriate form, so that you are (21).. to vote. You don't need to use outside companies.

Answer: Eligible

Supporting statement: "First of all, be eligible to vote. To do this, you need to register."

Keywords: eligible, vote

Keyword Location: para 1, line 1

Explanation: The sentence states that one must be eligible to vote, which is achieved through registration.

- Get on the electoral register - do this online or at the council. After this registration you'll be sent a form with details of your household this form needs to be returned.

- You will usually vote at polling stations - your (22)...... sent by your council will provide details of the election. Provision is made for blind people to help them participate.

Answer: Poll card

Supporting statement: "Your council will send you a poll card just before an election, telling you where and when to vote."

Keywords: poll card, council

Keyword Location: para 3, line 1

Explanation: The text advises that the poll card contains details about where and when to vote.

- You actually vote on a (23)............, which you'll get at the poling station. (24)............. are provided to help you.

Answer: Ballot paper

Supporting statement: "You'll be given a ballot paper containing a list of the people, parties or other options you can vote for."

Keywords: list of the people, ballot paper

Keyword Location: para 3, line 7

Explanation: The text advises that the document used for voting is called a ballot paper.

Answer: Polling booths

Supporting statement: "Take your ballot paper into a polling booth."

Keywords: polling booth, ballot paper

Keyword Location: para 3, line 9

Explanation: Polling booths are provided at polling stations to ensure privacy while voting.

- A proxy vote can be done by a chosen person if he/she is in possession of a properly validated (25)...............

Answer: Authorization

Supporting statement: "To do this, you will need to provide the person who will vote for you with an authorization signed by you and countersigned by a solicitor."

Keywords: person, solicitor

Keyword Location: para 4, line 2

Explanation: The text advises that a proxy voter requires a properly validated authorization.

- The three ways someone overseas can vote is:

> using the mail

> using a proxy

> (26)............. (if possible)

Answer: In person

Supporting statement: “Overseas voters can vote by post or by proxy – or in person if they happen to be in the right place on polling day and aren't voting by post or proxy."

Keywords: polling day, Overseas voters

Keyword Location: para 4, line 6

Explanation: The text advises that one of the ways an overseas voter can vote is in person, if possible.

- A specific application is required for a postal vote. A postal vote needs the completed ballot paper and a completed (27)..... A fresh application is needed if you move house. A new ballot paper can be obtained if required.

Answer: Voting statement

Supporting statement: "When voting by post, you should mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret, fill in the postal voting statement."

Keywords: postal voting statement, ballot paper

Keyword Location: para 5, line 6

Explanation: The text advises that a completed postal voting statement must be included with the ballot paper.

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