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On Monday, May 12, a record-high 68.43 million registered Filipino voters are expected to cast their votes in the 2025 midterm elections.
While voting looked a little different in recent elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s process is a little more straightforward and similar to the steps from automated elections before the pandemic.
This election is the first time the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is using automated counting machines from Miru Systems, and so voters who experienced its predecessor, Smartmatic, will also have to adjust slightly to the new system.
Each voter is only allotted one ballot — there are no extras should you make a mistake. Here’s a brief guide on how to prepare for election day and what to expect when going to your polling place, based on advice from the Comelec.
Step 1: Decide who your candidates are
It’s best to already be certain who you wish to vote for before going to your polling place. As polling places tend to get crowded in some areas, you would be doing your local community a favor by voting quickly and giving others the same chance to vote during the allotted hours, 7 am to 7 pm.
In midterm elections, voters choose candidates for the following:
- 12 senators
- 1 party-list group
- 1 congressman or congresswoman
- 1 provincial governor
- 1 provincial vice governor
- Sangguniang Panlalawigan
- 1 mayor
- 1 vice mayor
- Sangguniang Panlungsod o Bayan
You can access information about all candidates, from national to local, on Rappler’s microsite.
Choose candidates wisely. While you can prepare a list or kodigo, campaigning at the polling place is not allowed.
Step 2: Find your precinct
Each voter has an assigned precinct where they will cast their votes. These are usually schools, but the Comelec is also opening mall voting.
This information should be found in the Voter’s Information Sheet given personally to your household by Comelec-deputized workers. If you haven’t received your VIS yet, you can also check your polling place by using the Comelec’s online precinct finder.
Step 3: Head to your precinct
On election day, regular voting hours will be from 7 am to 7 pm, so plan ahead.
If you are a senior citizen or a person with disability or are assisting someone who is in one of these priority groups, there is an early voting period from 5 am to 7 am. Pregnant voters may also avail themselves of these early voting hours.
There may be a line of voters at your precinct that you’ll have to wait with before you vote.
Step 4: Approach the Electoral Board
Approach the Electoral Board at your polling place and give them your name and precinct number.
The Electoral Board will check if your name is on the Election Day Computerized Voters List (EDCVL) and if your fingernails have any indelible ink.
Once the board officer has verified your identity, they will ask you to sign the EDCVL.
Then, the Electoral Board Chairperson will show you your blank ballot. They will hand it to you with a secrecy folder and a marking pen.
Step 5: Cast your vote
After receiving your ballot, folder, and marking pen, go to the voting area to accomplish your ballot.
Using the provided marking pen, fully shade the circles next to the names of the candidates you want to vote for. It’s okay if the shading goes a little past the lines of the circle as long as it does not reach its neighboring circle.
Remember to avoid overvoting, or shading circles in a position that is over how many you may choose. You don’t have to memorize the maximum number of candidates to choose for since the ballot indicates it.
For instance, since you can only choose 12 senators, you cannot shade 13 or more. Since you can only choose one mayor, shading more than one mayoral candidate will lead to an invalidated vote for that position.
Undervoting or abstaining, however, is okay. You may choose less than 12 senators or not choose a congressman or governor if you believe none of the choices deserve your vote.
Step 6: Feed your ballot into the ACM
Once you’re done accomplishing your ballot, approach the election inspectors for assistance in feeding your ballot into the ACM.
Upon feeding your ballot into the machine, the machine scans it and shows your selections on its touch screen for 20 seconds.
The machine also prints out your receipt, where you can view your selections again. Report any contest to the election inspector. Drop the receipt into the box attached to the machine.
Taking photos of your ballot or receipt is against election law.
Step 7: Exit the voting area
After dropping your receipt in the box, return the secrecy folder and marking pen to election inspectors.
An election inspector will then mark your fingernail with indelible ink.
Then, leave the polling place.
Congratulations, you’ve officially exercised your right to vote. – Rappler.com
