Whether you’re a new voter or someone in need of a refresher, here are some tips to keep your 2025 midterm election experience as smooth as possible.
68, 618, 667 registered voters across the country will be choosing who’ll take up the hundreds of seats in the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the next batch of local government leaders in various municipalities, during the upcoming midterm election on May 12, 2025. It’s a big event that will invariably shape the future of the country—and every vote counts, for better or for worse.
A new wave of fake news is circulating around the internet, presenting pre-requisites for voting that are confusing and incorrect (including the presentation of a National ID, which is unnecessary in the process). So, it’s time to fight back with the plain facts, namely tips based on those given by The Commission on Election (COMELEC).
Keep these pieces of advice in mind before you cast your ballot, and you’ll hopefully experience a smooth election; this way, you can focus on voting wisely.
READ ALSO: The Pope Campaign And A Tale Of Two Conclaves
Who Are You Choosing For The 2025 Midterm Elections?
National
On a national level, voters are expected to vote for 12 senators and one (1) partylist.
Local
For local voting, voters are to select the following: one (1) member for the House of Representatives; one (1) provincial governor; one (1) provincial vice-governor; Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board, which are the legislatures in Philippine provinces); one (1) mayor; one (1) vice mayor; and Sangguniang Panlungsod o Bayan (the local legislative body of a city government).
The When And Where
Regular voting hours will be from 7 AM to 7 PM; meanwhile, voting hours for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Senior Citizens and their assistors, and pregnant voters will take place from 5 AM to 7:00 AM.
As a voter, you should have been given your precinct number after officially registering. But if you can’t remember it, that’s fine: you can use the online precinct finder at https://precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph/voter_precinct. Just fill in the information you provided upon registration, like your name, date of birth, district, and municipality, and click “search.” The finder will not only give you your precinct number, but also the polling station you’re supposed to vote in.
What To Do
Be sure to remember your precinct number, or take a screenshot of it from the finder. Once you get to your polling station, you’ll need to find it on the voters lists usually plastered around the area.
Approach the Electoral Board assigned to your polling station and state your name, precinct number, and sequence number (your position on the list, usually the number next to your name). The elector will then verify if your name is on the Election Day Computerized Voters List (EDCVL). After checking if your fingers have any ink marks, they’ll ask you to sign the EDCVL.
The Electoral Board Chairperson will then hand you your ballot, which should be clean or in good condition, packed in a folder with a marking pen. Head to your designated voting area and begin.
Vote Wisely
Remember to do your research before the actual voting, as any pieces of paper or kodigo are strictly prohibited. Study candidate platforms, and look back at their history of service: do their goals feel like empty promises, or have they actually been delivered in the past? Think about the issues that matter to you, and how each candidate proposes to tackle them.
According to a Philippine-wide U-Report poll organized by the United Nations, top concerns for the youth include those related to climate change, education, health, and jobs. With the recent string of deadly road accidents happening in the country, especially congested Metro Manila, now may also be a good time to consider candidates who are actually presenting viable and effective solutions that would strengthen road safety education, pedestrian infrastructure, and public transportation, rather than simply prioritizing the expansion of roads (after all, more parking lots and wider highways aren’t sound remedies to any of the recent fatalities).
Be decisive and careful when filling out your ballot, as each voter is only entitled to one, which means there’s no room for mistakes. Like tests in school, voters are required to use the folder to cover their ballots as they fill them up, for confidentiality. Keep in mind the number of people you’re allowed to vote for, and don’t over-vote.
After you’ve finished voting, head on over to the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) and insert your ballot into its slot. Wait for a receipt to be printed and check the image of your ballot on the screen. Review the receipt one more time, drop it inside its designated box, and return your folder and pen.
Last but not the least, a volunteer will be placing indelible ink on the forefinger of your right hand—that distinct mark that proves you had a say in the country’s democratic processes.
Congratulations, and let’s hope for the best!
Oh, And One More Thing…
If you’re not yet a registered voter, there’s no shame in that—but this year is as good a time as any to start exercising your right. The COMELEC announced a possible nationwide voter registration in Q3 after the May 12 elections, somewhere around July or August according to a statement released by the Philippine News Agency.
Save for the horrendously long lines, the process of registration is pretty straightforward, especially with various COMELEC satellites set up in public places like malls during this period.
First you’ll need to check your eligibility to vote: typically, all Filipino citizens who are at least 18 years old (or will be on the day of the elections) are eligible. “Filipino citizen” refers to someone who has lived in the Philippines for at least one year (and in the place they intend to vote for at least six months) before the elections.
When registration opens, check for available registration sites near you. Be sure to bring the required documents, which mainly consists of one valid government-issued ID like a PhilSys National ID card, Student ID, Philippine passport, driver’s license, and Barangay ID, as well as the COMELEC’s official application form. During the actual process, you’ll be asked to present your ID and form, answer a few questions, and get your biometrics captured—you’ll be registered in no time.
A more detailed guide on how to register as a voter can be found on COMELEC’s website. Remember the saying: it’s better now (or late), than never.
