Voting

To vote in any UK elections and referendums, you must be on the current electoral register (the list of eligible voters). Find out more in Registering to vote.

There are three ways to vote. If you can't vote at a polling station, you can apply to vote by Post or by Proxy.

How to vote at a polling station

Most people cast their vote in person at their local polling station – usually a nearby hall, library or school. You will get a poll card before the election, telling you where and when to vote. At all elections polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.

When you go to vote, the staff will check your address and ask you to confirm your name in order to give you your ballot paper(s). Read the ballot paper(s) carefully as they list the parties and candidates you can vote for, and tell you how to cast your vote.

No one is entitled to see who you are voting for – the voting takes place in a screened booth which has an instruction notice telling you how to mark your papers. When you have marked your vote, put the ballot paper in the ballot box as directed. If you're not sure what to do, ask the staff to help you.

How to vote by post or by proxy

If you apply in time before an election, you can vote by post or proxy. For security, you must give your date of birth and signature when you apply, and again whenever you vote by post.

• Postal voting
• Request a postal vote application
• Proxy votes
• Registering to vote
• Next elections

Preventing election fraud

There are laws and security measures to prevent electoral fraud. It is an offence to:

• Supply false information or fail to supply information to the electoral registration officer at any time
• Unduly influence someone, even if it does not affect the way they vote
• Falsely apply for a postal or proxy vote