VOTING GUIDE: 9 Steps to Voting on Philippines Election Day

Voting in any election comes with the responsibility of being prepared when you head to the polling precincts.

But this preparation doesn’t happen overnight, making the months leading to the May 12, 2025, elections crucial for the millions of registered Filipino voters. It is the period where they will have to carefully decide who to support ideally based on their values, the candidates’ track records, and the promises they make for the future.

As election day approaches, it’s essential for Filipinos to not only familiarize themselves with the candidates but also understand the electoral process. This will help as they reflect on the nation’s needs and ensure that their votes contribute to shaping a government that can address pressing issues like economic growth and national security.

STEP 1. Know your precinct location before going to the voting center.

The COMELEC Online Precinct Finder enables voters to locate their assigned voting precinct and verify if their registration is in active status, indicating they are eligible to vote on May 9.

Here’s how to use the precinct finder and where to get help when you cannot find your name or are on inactive.

STEP 2. Have your temperature checked before entering the voting center.

The COVID-19 pandemic alert is still up and health protocol requirements apply to polling places. Wear your mask when you go to your voting precinct. Have your temperature checked as you arrive.

If your temperature registers at 37.4°C and below, you can proceed to your voting precinct. If your temperature is 37.5°C or higher, even after resting for a few minutes, you can still vote but will be directed to an isolated polling precinct to prevent exposing others to your illness.

STEP 3. Go to the Voters’ Assistance Desk to give your name and be directed to the room where you can vote.

The Voters’ Assistance Desk (VAD) will verify your name, give your sequence numbers, and direct you to the room of your polling precinct.

STEP 4. Go to your room assignment and identify yourself to the Electoral Board by giving your name, precinct, and sequence numbers.

Go to your assigned room and introduce yourself to the Electoral Board by stating your name, precinct, and sequence numbers.

STEP 5. Get your ballot, ballot secrecy folder, and marking pen and fill out the ballot at the voting area.

Sign your name on the computerized voters’ list to receive your ballot. Check if your ballot is free of marks and tears. You can have the ballot changed if there are marks. Check if the COMELEC-provided marking pen is working.

You can bring your own list of preferred candidates – printed or written and NOT on your phone – to your precinct.

Accomplish the ballot using the COMELEC-provided pen to fully shade the oval appearing to the left of the name of the candidate you are voting for.

You can choose to vote for less than the maximum number of votes or not vote at all for a position. But do not overvote, as this will invalidate your votes for that position.

Senator: vote for a maximum of 12 candidates
Member, House of Representatives: vote for 1 candidate
Party-list: vote for 1 group
Provincial Governor: vote for 1 candidate
Provincial Vice Governor: vote for 1 candidate
Member, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board): Follow the ballot instructions, as the number of seats varies per district.
Mayor: vote for 1 candidate
Vice Mayor: vote for 1 candidate
Member, Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal/City Councilor): Follow the ballot instructions as the number of seats varies per municipality, city, or district.

NOTE: Do not take a photo of your ballot. This is an election offense.

STEP 7. Feed the ballot into the Vote Counting Machine (VCM).

You must be the only one to hold your ballot as you feed it to the VCM. Do not let others touch it to avoid stray marks or tears that will invalidate your ballot.

STEP 8. Check your voter’s receipt and then deposit it in the receptacle.

After you feed your ballot into the VCM, your voter’s receipt will be issued. Review if the receipt matches your votes list. If there is no issue, drop your receipt into the receipt box.

NOTE: DO NOT take your receipt with you. DO NOT take a photo of the receipt. These are election offenses.

STEP 9. After you have accomplished steps 1 through 8, have your right forefinger nail stained with indelible ink.

Only after you have finished all the prior steps should you have the indelible ink mark stain your finger. Mark should be only your right forefinger and not any other finger.

SPECIAL SECTOR NOTE: Members of the vulnerable sectors of society – senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women – are given a priority lane after providing a valid government ID to the facilitator of the special precinct. Headphones can be provided to these voters so they can hear and follow the VCM instructions for feeding the ballot.

Here's a video of a step-by-step procedure on how to vote for the upcoming elections!

Note: Although the video was posted during the May 2022 Elections, the voting process is still the same as the May 2025 elections.

Congratulations! You have exercised your right to vote as a citizen of the Philippines. You may leave the precinct or choose to witness the tallying of the votes by the end of the voting day. 🥳

Reference:
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/voting-guide-9-steps-to-voting-on-philippines-election-day/