To be able to vote at any election or referendum, you need to be on the Electoral Register. You can register at any time throughout the year and once you are registered you do not need to re-register unless you move.
The quickest way to register to vote is online. It takes about five minutes and you will need your national insurance number.
If you are not on the register, you must register by the election registration deadline to be able to vote at that election.
More information on registering to vote
Ways To Vote
In Person
For all elections being held on, or after, Thursday 4 May you will need to bring photo ID to vote at a polling station.
If you choose to vote in person at your polling station you will be sent a poll card before the election with details of where your polling station is. You do not need your poll card to vote. You will need to provide your photo ID and confirm your name and address to the staff at the polling station.
More information on voting in person
Postal vote
You can apply to vote by post at any time but we recommend you apply as early as possible so that your application is received before any election deadline date.
Postal voters are not affected by the introduction of Voter ID and will be issued with their postal ballot papers as usual.
More information on postal voting
Download a postal vote application form
Proxy vote
Information on proxy voting (someone voting on your behalf)
There are three main options if you want to apply for a proxy vote:
- You can apply for a proxy vote for one election.
- You can apply for a permanent vote if you are unable to vote at a polling station for certain reasons including medical issues or disability, attendance at an education course or work commitments.
- During an election period, an application can be made for an emergency proxy in certain circumstances and detailed information on this can be found here under the emergency proxy section.
The person you choose to vote on your behalf will need to go to your polling station to vote and will need to show their own photo ID to be able to cast your vote. They will not need to show your ID when voting on your behalf. Alternatively the person you choose to vote on your behalf can apply to cast your vote by post. When you submit your proxy application a form to request a postal vote will be sent to the person you choose to vote on your behalf.
Download the proxy vote application form
Inspecting the electoral register
You can inspect the electoral register at the Council Offices, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HG.
To make an an appointment to inspect the register please contact the Electoral Services team using the details at the bottom of this page.
What you need to know when inspecting the electoral register
- You will be asked to read and sign a declaration making you aware of the restrictions to using information held on the electoral register
- Your inspection will be supervised
- You may only make hand-written notes (the taking of photographs, photocopies or using a dictaphone are not allowed)
Failure to observe the above conditions may result in a fine of up to £5,000.