Ways to vote

You will be sent a poll card to your address, which will tell you where your local polling station is.

Remember to bring an accepted form of photo ID if you want to vote in person.

Find out more about what to expect, during and after you’ve voted in person.

If you are not able to vote in person, for example, because you will be away on polling day, you can apply for a postal vote.

You can register to vote by post at any time. However, it is best to apply as soon as possible in advance of any upcoming elections. The exact date for applying for a postal vote in any particular election will be advertised in advance, but typically the deadline is by 5pm, 11 working days before the election.

You will not need to provide photo ID to vote by post. There are other identification checks, including verification of your signature and date of birth.

If you cannot vote in person, for example, for health reasons, you can nominate someone to vote on your behalf. In this case, you need to apply to vote by proxy. 

You can register to vote by proxy any time. However, it is best to apply as soon as possible in advance of any upcoming elections. The exact date for applying for a postal vote in any particular election will be advertised in advance, but typically the deadline is by 5pm, 6 working days before the election.

Your proxy will have to bring their own photo ID to vote on your behalf.