With so many people across the UK heading to the ballot boxes on May 5 for the local elections, it’s only natural they would bring their four-legged companions along.
In fact, in the last few years it has become an informal social media tradition for people to share photos of their pooches at the polling station.
And this year is no exception – even prime minister Boris Johnson and London mayor Sadiq Khan brought their dogs along to vote.
Council seats in Scotland, Wales, London and parts of England are available while Northern Ireland is electing its new assembly, with polls open until 10pm.
But today’s local elections, where the Conservatives are expected to experience significant losses, saw some extra additions joining the #DogsAtPollingStations trend…
Here’s a roundup of the most unusual photos making the rounds to light up your day.
Dogs behaving badly at the ballot box
Today’s the day to go out there and show the Government what you think of them. #dogsatpollingstationspic.twitter.com/8VqeDVMDjo
— CC (@carooftheavon) May 5, 2022
Owners doing the most for their pooches
Maybe by the general election we’ll have escalated to photos of people looking like twats trying to take photos of their dogs at polling stations. If so: I will win. pic.twitter.com/SylH3D8s2H
— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) May 5, 2022
To everyone emailing me this week and next, I’m taking some time off to raise a pup. What better way to introduce Bertie to the world than #dogsatpollingstations (he’s in a bag because he’s waiting for his vaccines to kick in) pic.twitter.com/fHYDvrY9zT
— Melissa York (@melyork) May 5, 2022
Who let the dogs out?
LOTS of dogs at the Dulwich Village polling station this morning. Which one gets your vote?! #dogsatpollingstations#localelections#localelections2022#Dulwichpic.twitter.com/DF4NhEHThc
— Anna Skipwith (@hellosocialLdn) May 5, 2022
Pups in prams at the polling stations
Mornin’ #DogsAtPollingStations@VotingDogspic.twitter.com/L05AsPDLYL
— Richard Parnham 🏳️🌈 (@RichardParnham) May 5, 2022
When your pup takes pride in dogmocracy
Cocoa has been to vote 🐶#dogsatpollingstationspic.twitter.com/d7MaaWMK9t
— The Yorkshire Grey Sheep (@LouiseWalton78) May 5, 2022
Hoshi’s very first #dogsatpollingstations 💖🗳 pic.twitter.com/QW7FvUiIx5
— Barry✨『EPOCH』 (@nostoppingepoch) May 5, 2022
This sign is wrong 🐶⬅️#dogsatpollingstations 🗳 pic.twitter.com/p7rrN5guwZ
— Liz Bayley (@lizbayleyphysio) May 5, 2022
Polling stations are open until 10pm in today’s local elections. Don’t forget to have your say.
Betty the pug was at her local polling station in Blakelaw bright and early this morning. Share your #DogsAtPollingStations pics below! 📸Elections info 👉 https://t.co/uJLIhDcIhFpic.twitter.com/lVMqscZMX9
— NewcastleCityCouncil (@NewcastleCC) May 5, 2022
There are no local elections where we live but Mabel plans to vote anyway. She wants to be a #dogsatpollingstations and who am I to stop her. pic.twitter.com/PVWoPcy1uY
— Frances Ryan (@DrFrancesRyan) May 5, 2022
Tilly suggests you vote. She’d like a pat on the head when you do, please#dogsatpollingstationspic.twitter.com/8jCGvd1i8W
— Jeremy McGee (@JeremyMcGee) May 5, 2022
You’ll be pleased to know that the cats are sensibly exercising their democratic rights up here in Lairg, Highland…#CatsAtPollingStations#dogsatpollingstationspic.twitter.com/ttlYaMOsNX
— Tony Bridge 🔶 (@tonebridge) May 5, 2022
Occasionally, there was a colliding of worlds
Mavis: “Are you or are you not trying to get in on the #dogsatpollingstations thing, puss?”
Puss: “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for the #SueGrayReport”
🗳🐶🐱
— Hannah Monaghan (@Mrs_H_Monaghan) May 5, 2022
And it’s equal opportunities for smaller pets…
And #pigswithpollingcards … pic.twitter.com/N5Wu3NUf8D
— somethingisaid (@thisarch) May 5, 2022
In England, more than 4,000 council seats are up for grabs in 146 councils in major cities.
The results are expected to be announced around midnight, with the final counts coming in over the weekend.
Source: Huff Post