Voting and registering to vote

To be allowed to vote, you must be on the electoral register

You can register to vote at any time up to 11 working days before an election. Find out more about registering to vote.

Before the election

If there's an upcoming election, we will send you a poll card to tell you when and where you can vote. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.

The poll card is for information only, you don't need to take it to your polling station. If you lose your card and are unsure where you should vote, either refer to the list of polling stations or contact us below. You can only vote at your designated polling station.

Voter identification (ID)

You must show photo ID when you want to vote at a polling station. This could be an approved form of photo ID, such as a passport. Expired ID documents will be accepted if the photo is still a good likeness of you.

For a full list of approved forms of photo ID, go to GOV.UK: photo ID you'll need.

If you don't have an approved ID, you'll need to apply for a free 'Voter Authority Certificate' (VAC) – sometimes called a 'Voter Card' or 'Electoral Identification Document'. You can apply for a VAC either online or, if you live in the UK, by downloading, printing, completing and posting a form:

• GOV.UK: apply online for a Voter Authority Certificate
• GOV.UK: apply by post for a Voter Authority Certificate

You'll need to show your approved photo ID or VAC at polling stations from May 2023 onwards.

For more details, read our guidance document below.

On polling day

When you arrive at your polling station:

• show the staff your poll card or tell them your name and address
• staff will check you're registered, ask to see your photo ID, mark their register and give you a ballot paper
• take your ballot paper to one of the booths and mark it as instructed
• put your ballot paper in the ballot box

If you need assistance, ask the staff at the polling station or contact us below.