How to use the online alarm clock
Preparing at 2:47 am gives the counting team time to check the tally sheets, arrange pens and make sure everyone knows their role before the vote count begins. An alarm set for 3:00 am provides a clear cue to move from preparation to the first ballot boxes without repeatedly checking the clock.
A vote count can depend on one timely signal, so the alarm page needs to remain active and audible while you organise the room. Check the selected time and sound, then keep the browser open and the computer awake. If you close the page or browser, or let the computer sleep, the alarm will not sound and the vote count could begin without its planned cue. Keeping the volume high enough for the counting area also avoids the signal being lost beneath conversation and moving boxes.
Anyone travelling to the count shortly before 3:00 am should allow for more than the normal clear-road journey time. British roads are often quiet overnight, but diversions, temporary closures and roadworks can add unexpected minutes, particularly near council buildings or counting venues. Check the route before leaving and include a small buffer, so the alarm marks the start of counting rather than the moment you are still looking for an entrance or parking space.
Common questions
Do I need an account or an app?
Neither. Choose a time and a sound, press Start, and it runs in this browser tab. Nothing is downloaded, nothing is registered, and closing the page leaves nothing behind on the device.
Can I change the sound?
Yes, there is a short list of tones to pick from before you press Start. Softer sounds are easy to sleep through, so a firmer bell tends to be the safer choice for anything early in the morning.
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
Can I use this on a phone?
It works in a mobile browser, but phones lock the screen and suspend background tabs far more readily than a laptop does, which can stop the alarm sounding. For anything important, a desktop or a plugged-in laptop is the steadier option.
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