VoteWatch: Key reminders for the 2025 midterm elections

Metro Manila, Philippines - Preparations are all set as the nation gears up to elect new sets of lawmakers and local leaders during the 2025 midterm elections on Monday, May 12.

Before you troop to your respective polling site on election day, here are key reminders every voter should know.

Precinct finder

Each registered voter is listed under a specific polling place which is either at a local precinct or school. To ensure that you are headed to the right place, first check where you should cast your vote via the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Precinct Finder online.

The website is live at https://precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph.

The site allows voters to verify their registration status and find their assigned polling place and voting precinct. All you have to do is input your full name, birthdate, and place of registration.

The system will then display whether the individual has an active, deactivated, no record, or multiple records of registration. It will also provide the clustered precinct number and the corresponding polling place.

Voting schedule

Comelec said polling sites will open at 5 a.m. for seniors, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, while voting for the general public is set to begin at 7 a.m.

Priority polling places close at 5 p.m. while general voting sites will close at 7 p.m.

Persons Deprived of Liberty can also vote in special polling places starting at 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Comelec said some 68.6 million people registered to vote on election day, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared as a special non-working holiday “to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote.”

Positions up for voting

For this national and local elections midway through the Marcos administration, voters have to choose 12 senatorial candidates and one party-list group for the House of Representatives.

Voters in the province will have to choose one governor and one vice governor, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the province’s legislative board.

In cities or municipalities, voters will elect one mayor and one vice mayor, along with members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) or Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council), depending on their locality.

The number of councilors and board members you can vote for depends on your city or province. You can find this information in your Voter’s Information Sheet or by contacting your local Comelec office.

Voting process

Once you are at your polling site, approach an electoral board (EB) and give your name, precinct number, and sequence number.

The EB will then verify your name on the Election Day Computerized Voters List (EDCVL) and check your fingernail for indelible ink.

Once verified, you will receive your ballot, secrecy folder, and marking pen. You will then be asked to proceed to the voting area.

On your ballots, shade the circle beside your chosen candidate's name using the provided pen. Make sure to shade the circle properly and avoid shading outside the area.

You are also allowed to bring in voting “cheat sheets” or your personally prepared list of candidates. This is not mandatory but encouraged to speed up your voting process.

READ: Undervoting allowed in May 12 polls — Comelec

After shading, feed your completed ballot into the automated counting machine (ACM) and wait for the voter receipt to confirm your ballot image shown on the screen.

Check your voter receipt and drop it into the designated box. You have now cast your vote.

Remember to return the ballot secrecy folder and pen. Before leaving the polling site, have your right index finger marked with indelible ink.

Taking photos of yourself and your ballots are not allowed.

Health and safety reminders

The Department of Health is on code white alert from May 11 to 14 to ensure readiness of facilities, supplies, and staff for health emergencies.

Voting centers will also have respective health posts with medical teams who are available to give first-aid or medical services to voters and government volunteers.

Comelec also urges the public to be vigilant and report any form of vote-buying during the elections.

Marcos earlier urged the public to respect each other’s differences in opinions and called for a peaceful 2025 midterm elections