POLLING day is finally here and these youngsters – Daniel Ulf-Hansen, 19, and Catherine Twomey, 18 – both students at Somerset College, Taunton, will be among those marking their X in a General Election for the first time today.

The battle for the Taunton Deane seat has been fiercely fought and the result is eagerly anticipated – remember, the County Gazette will be at the count tonight to bring you the result as it happens – expected to be between 2am and 3am tomorrow.

The candidates in Taunton Deane are Jeremy Browne (LibDem), Mark Formosa (Conservative), Martin Jevon (Labour) and Tony McIntyre (UKIP).

Nationally, more than 44 million people are registered to vote - but what motivates them to vote? A YouGov survey of British adults aged 18 and over for the Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, found that the main motivation among those planning to vote is that it is one’s duty to do so (48%), while 27% welcome it as a chance to have their say and 22% are spurred by the chance to make a difference.

Voters also demonstrated a determination to cast their vote, with many of those intending to vote saying ‘nothing at all’ would stop them. About a quarter said that ‘being unwell’ would be the most likely reason to put them off voting - an option for anyone who has been taken ill in the last week is to appoint an ‘emergency proxy’, where someone they trust would cast their vote for them. They can do this up to 5pm today.

A quarter of those surveyed (26%) did not realise that you can drop off postal ballot papers at the polling station instead. It must arrive in time for close of poll at 10pm.

Bad weather would only deter 2% of people planning to vote, the survey found.

An Electoral Commission spokesman said: “One of the biggest misunderstandings, though, that might prevent people from voting on the day is that four in ten people (39%) think you need a poll card in order to vote.

“This is not the case, although it is useful for reference. But anyone who has forgotten or lost their card can still vote – local authorities can remind people where their polling station is situated.”

Anyone with questions on voting can call 0800-3280280.

Don’t miss next week’s County Gazette for full reaction to the result.

For our special election results service, click on the Related Link below.