Voting in elections
Can I vote in elections?
You can only vote in elections if your name is on the electoral
register. Find out more about the electoral
register.
You can vote if you are:
- 18 years or over
- British, Commonwealth, Irish and other European Union citizens.
(European citizens are allowed to vote in European and Local
Elections only)
- An overseas electors. (Overseas Electors are allowed to vote in
Parliamentary and European Elections only.)
- A member of HM Forces and/or their spouse
- A Crown servant employed outside the United Kingdom
If you are eligible to vote you'll receive a poll card at your
home address shortly before the election. This card will tell you
how you have chosen to vote and how you will make your vote.
Who can I vote for?
Details of candidates is published soon after the nominations
for candidates has closed. Find out more
about candidates for election.
How and when can I vote?
You can vote by
- Going to your allocated polling station
- Post
- Proxy
Going to your allocated polling station:
You can visit anytime between 7am - 10pm. Details of your polling
station will be found on your poll card.
Post: You can pick up an application form
at any of our Customer Service Centres or request a form by
contacting us at Electoral Services. Your
postal vote will need to be returned by 10pm on election
day. Frequently asked questions on
postal voting.
Proxy: You can vote by appointing someone to
attend your polling station to vote on your behalf. More about proxy voting.
Where do I go to vote?
You'll find details of your polling station on your poll card -
details of all our polling stations.
What happens at a polling station?
- On arrival at your designated polling station, the Presiding
Officer will ask you to confirm your name and address and will give
you a ballot paper
- The ballot paper will be marked with an official stamp
- Take the ballot paper to the voting booth and mark an "X"
against the candidate or party you wish to vote for
- Fold the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box
Virtual polling station - animated feature on how to vote at an
election.