Millions of Brits will head out on December 12 and decide who gets to run the country at such a pivotal time in its history.

With the Brexit deadline around the corner, and fiery debates on the NHS, education and and taxation raging on, voters across the country will be eager to head to the polls.

We’re lucky to live in a country where people have this freedom, but there’s a few basic rules to follow when casting your ballot.

It’s important to make sure your vote actually counts and that you don’t end up breaking the law.

So here’s a guide to what you should and shouldn’t do at UK polling stations.

Taking pictures

It isn’t against the law to take a cheeky selfie at a polling station but doing it anywhere near a voting booth is strongly discouraged.

There’s a risk you could inadvertently reveal how someone else has voted, which could land you with a six month prison sentence or a £5,000 fine.

It’s illegal to share a picture of a ballot paper under the Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, including your own.

Advice from the European Commission says: ‘Due to the potential breach of the law, intentionally or not, we strongly advise against any form of photography taken inside a polling station.

‘However, if a voter would like to highlight their participation in the elections, we suggest this is done outside the polling station before or after they vote.’

Dogs at polling stations

Bringing your pet as you cast your vote has become a massive trend in recent years.

Every election our hearts are warmed with social media posts showing our four legged friends witnessing democracy in action.

But they might be asked to wait outside the station, particularly if it’s busy.

And they can’t vote themselves. Obviously.

Showing up drunk

It isn’t against the law to get absolutely steaming before casting your ballot but it isn’t encouraged either.

Staff can’t turn you away just because it looks like you’ve been drinking but they could ask you to come back when you’ve sobered up if you’re being too rowdy.

If you’re really disruptive, there’s a chance the police could arrest you for being drunk and disorderly, as they would anywhere.

Even if you aren’t under the influence of alcohol or drugs, don’t be loud or make a nuisance of yourself.

Bringing your family

It’s fine to bring your children to the polling station but they shouldn’t touch the ballot paper.

If you have a few young ones with you then staff can keep an eye on them while you cast your vote.

Bringing you entire extended family could be seen as a bit weird but there’s no rule against it.

Large groups of any kind could be asked to wait outside if there’s a risk of disturbing voters.

Make it clear who you’re voting for

It’d be a shame if your vote didn’t count because you’d marked the paper in the wrong way.

You can put a tick, cross, or colour in the box, but as long as it is clear who you’re voting for and don’t try and chose multiple candidates.

Don’t sign your name or write anything else on the paper – just stick to the choice in front of you.

If you make a mistake and accidentally vote for the wrong person, go to the desk and explain what happened to staff, who will be able to cancel your ballot and give you a new one.

Some people chose to deliberately spoil their ballot to express their frustration with the political system.

Protesters have been known to tick every box, write all of the ballot paper, and, of course, draw a penis on it.

Just make sure the genitalia isn’t only marked in a single box or you might end up voting for someone you don’t want.

Taking your own pens and pencils

You may have heard conspiracy theories about votes marked with pencil being rubbed out during the Brexit referendum.

This would have been a difficult plot to orchestrate and of course it wasn’t true, but that didn’t stop some people standing outside polling stations handing out pens in June 2016.

It’s completely fine to bring your own pens or pencils, as long as you can clearly indicate you you’re voting for.

The reason why pencils are provided at polling stations is because ink from a pen can smudge or spill on the paper and risk spoiling a ballot.

Ink might spread when the ballot is folded making it look like someone has voted more than once.

Dismissing fraud fears, the Electoral Commission said: ‘The use of pencils does not in itself increase the likelihood of electoral fraud.

‘Legislation has built specific safeguards into the process, such as the requirement for seals to be attached to ballot boxes at the close of poll.

‘By law, campaigners are also entitled to be present at that stage and to attach their own seals if they wish.

‘At the start of the count, they can then observe those same seals being broken.

‘Tampering with ballot papers is a serious offence and if anyone has evidence that ballot papers are being tampered with, they should report this to the police.’

Bringing a friend into the polling booth

Voting is seen as a private thing and you should do it on your own if you’re able to.

If you cannot read the ballot paper or have a disability then a friend or family member may be allowed to help you.

The Electoral Commission advises staff talk directly to the voter about this rather than the helper.

Covering your face

Polling station staff will be looking out for people trying to impersonate someone else on the register to vote twice.

But there’s no specific rule for voters to show their face and they don’t need to bring proof of ID.

Swaying voters

Voters aren’t allowed to wear clothing promoting a particular party, like t-shirts with campaign slogans on them.

Clearly showing your political allegiance could get you turned away from the polling station, as could talking loudly about politics.

Staff want to make no one is pressured into changing their votes and that everyone feels free to make up their own minds.

But there are no rules against wearing a party’s colours, so go ahead if that’s how you want to show your support.

You might see party officials outside the station. They can be there but they have to wear a rosette to make it clear who they are.

They’re not allowed to act in an intimidating fashion, hang around in large groups or try and hand out literature, so tell a member of staff if they do.

Don’t reveal how someone else voted

This is probably the most important rule of them all.

We mentioned this under the rules about taking photos but it’s worth re-iterating.

Even if you didn’t mean to it could land you in jail or with a hefty fine.

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