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
You can vote in person at your polling station and 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 just need to tell the staff at the station your name and address.
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.
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.