How to Vote

Information on who can vote, how and where you can vote

Who is eligible to vote?

Only people whose names appear on the electoral register are entitled to vote in elections.

To vote in elections you must:

Be 18 years or over on the day of the elections.
Be a British, Commonwealth, Irish or European Union citizen.
Not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote such as being in prison.

European Union citizens (other than British or Irish citizens) are only entitled to vote at local elections and European Parliamentary elections. They cannot vote at UK Parliamentary elections.

British citizens living abroad can register as overseas electors and vote at UK and European Parliamentary elections for 15 years after they leave the country. Overseas electors cannot vote in local elections.

Service personnel can register as ordinary elections or complete a Service Voter application form.

How can I Vote?

There are a number of ways that you can vote.

Go along to the polling station specified on the polling card which will be posted out to you before the election. Hours of poll are 7.00am until 10.00pm.
Vote by post and a ballot paper will be posted out to you before the day of the election. You can then mark your vote in secret and post it back to us in time to be included in the count.
Vote by proxy, where you can appoint someone to vote on your behalf.

If you are going on holiday or work away from home and will not be at your home address on the day of the election, please contact Electoral Services as soon as possible for further advice on postal and proxy voting.

Voting by Post

Applying for a postal vote is now easy.

The law allows anyone included in the Register of Electors to apply for a postal vote without the need to give a reason or to have the application countersigned.
If you would prefer to vote by post instead of going to your polling station, you can download an application form and post it back to us.
Postal votes can be sent anywhere, either inside or outside the UK (if for example, you are going on holiday or work away from home). Remember that if the address is outside the UK, it will take time for your postal vote to reach you and for you to return it in time for your vote to be counted.
If you move, you must inform Electoral Services straight away, or you may lose your postal vote.
There is a deadline to receive postal vote applications for all elections. This date and time will be advertised closer to an election date.
It is suggested that you complete and send in your application early. Don't wait until an election date is known.
Postal ballot papers are sent out approximately one week before the day of an election. You should bear this is mind, particularly if you are going on holiday, to ensure that you receive your ballot paper. It is suggested that you contact Electoral Services for advice on when postal votes will be issued or whether a proxy vote would be more appropriate.

Voting by proxy

Unlike voting by post, there are restrictions if you wish to vote by proxy.

Proxy Voting for an indefinite period

If you would like to vote by proxy due to ill health or disability, you must have your proxy vote application form supported by a registered medical practitioner, a registered nurse, or a Christian Science practitioner. If you are in a residential home or sheltered accommodation, the matron, home care director or the warden may support your claim. If you are registered blind or partially sighted or receive a mobility allowance, you do not need to have your application supported but must give details of your registration or allowance number.
If you would like to vote by proxy for employment reasons as you work away for long periods, you must have your application supported by your employer. If you are self-employed, your application must be supported by someone who is 18 or over, who knows you and is not related to you.
If you would like to vote by proxy as you are studying away from home, your application must be supported by the director or tutor of the course, or by the principal or head of the institution, or to an employee to whom this function is delegated.

Voting by proxy at an election on a particular day

If you are away on holiday, on a short business trip or training course, recovering from an accident or illness or there is another reason why you cannot go to the polling station on a particular day, you do not have to have your application supported. You must remember that this type of application will only cover elections held on one specific date and if you wish to vote by proxy after that date, you would have to reapply.
If none of the above applies to you, you can still apply but will need to give a reason for your application on the form. We will contact you if you are not entitled to a proxy vote or confirm that your application has been accepted.

If your details change, you should write and tell us. You should also inform us if you move house.